>; 


r 


r 


THE 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM, 


FROM    THE 


BEGINNING   OF    ITS    SETTLEMENT 


SEPTEMBER,  1635 TO  MAY,  1827. 


BY  ERASTUS  WORTHINGTON. 


Beatus  ille  qui  procul  negotiis, 
Ut  prisca  gens  mortalium ; 
Paterna  rura  bubus  exercet  suis 
Solutus  orani  foenore. 

Hor.Epod.  n. 


ISojston : 

DUTTON  AND  WENTWORTH,  PRINTERS. 

N0...4.... Exchange  Street. 

18,27. 


,     .A 


DISTRICT  OF  MASSACHUSETTS,  ss. 

District  Clerk's  Office. 

BK  iTREMEUBEnEOjThat  on  the  second  day  of  June,  A.  D.  18-27,  and  in  the  fifty-first 
year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Ehast'^s  Worthikoton,  of  the 
said  District,  has  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  (rfa  book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  as 
author,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"The  History  ofDedham,  from  the  beginning  of  its  settlement  in  September,  1635  to  May, 
1827.     By  Erastus  Wotthington. 

"  Beatus  ille  qui  procul  negotiis, 
Ut  prisca  gens  mortalium  ; 
Paterna  rura  bubus  exercet  suig 
Solutus  omni  foenore. — Hot.  Epod.  11." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled  '  An  Act  for  tha 
encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the 
authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned.'  And  also  to 
an  Act,  entitled  '  An  Act,  supplementary  to  an  Act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the  encouragement 
of  Learning,  by  se  uring  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  pro- 
prietois  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits 
thereof  to  the  arts  oi  designing,  engraving  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints.' 

JNO.  W.  DAVIS, 

Cleik  of  th?  District  of  MassachusettE. 


PREFACE. 


Some  facts  related  in  the  following  sketch,  will 
appear  trivial.  I  am  not  certain  that  a  sufficient 
reason  can  be  given  for  extending  the  history  of  a 
town  of  no  considerable  extent,  to  so  many  pages. 
Several  considerations,  however,  have  prevailed 
over  this  doubt.  It  has  appeared  to  me  that  a  town 
like  Dedham,  having  its  first  settlement  at  an  early 
date,  having  copious  materials  for  an  history,  and 
nearly  resembling  a  much  larger  extent  of  country 
around  it,  in  its  character  and  past  transactions, 
might  be  properly  selected  for  a  full  historical  and 
topographical  description.  The  history  of  a  town, 
although  much  of  it  must  necessarily  have  only 
a  local  interest,  may  yet  be  so  arranged,  that  it 
may  afford  some  views  of  society,  not  exhibited  in 
more  general  histories.  It  may  bring  us  nearer  the 
homes,  and  enable  us  to  see  more  distinctly  the  do- 
ings of  the  inhabitants.  It  may  assist  us  in  tracing 
the  origin  of  manners  and  customs,  and  in  judging 
of  the  influence  of  laws  and  public  proceedings,  on 
the  character  of  the  people. 


4  PREFACE. 

Under  all  forms  of  government  in  this  state, 
whether  it  were  colonial,  provincial,  or  republican, 
many  important  measures,  and  especially  all  revo- 
lutionary proceedings,  have  been  submitted  to  the 
primary  assemblies  of  the  people,  to  be  examined 
and  acted  on  by  them.  During  the  revolutionary 
war  in  particular,  towns  and  parishes  not  only  ex- 
pressed their  opinions  on  many  subjects  connected 
with  that  event,  but  they  actually  exercised  much 
of  the  jurisdiction  of  a  national  government  in  pro- 
secuting that  war.  How  these  small  corporations, 
organised  solely  for  municipal  or  parochial  pur- 
poses, transacted  that  business,  how  they  succeed- 
ed in  procuring  soldiers  and  warlike  stores,  and  did 
other  things  to  promote  the  same  great  end,  is  a 
proper  subject  for  historical  inquiry.  Reflections  of 
this  kind  have  induced  me  to  state  facts  somewhat 
minutely,  which  if  they  be  not  viewed  in  their  con- 
nection as  causes  or  effects,  are  comparatively 
speaking,  of  no  importance. 

In  this  essay  I  have  endeavoured,  so  far  as  my 
materials  would  permit,  to  exhibit  a  faithful  view  of 
society  in  this  place,  in  a  retrospect  of  one  hundred 
and  ninety  years.  In  doing  this,  1  have  endeavour- 
ed on  the  one  hand,  to  avoid  the  error  of  bestowing 
extravagant  or  unmerited  praise,  and  on  the  other, 
to  give  no  just  cause  of  offence,  by  an  improper 
narration  of  private  affairs,  having  no  relation  to  the 
general  character.  1  have  attempted  to  do  what 
gratitude  and  justice  require  to  be  done,  to  make 


PREFACE.  5 

known  the  substantial  virtues,  and  the  real  merit  of 
the  present  and  past  generations  in  this  town,  but 
in  doing  this,  I  have  not  submitted  to  the  disgrace- 
ful and  immoral  task  of  composing  an  historical 
sketch,  and  therein  suppressing  all  notice  of  the 
errors  or  follies  of  past  times,  as  some  have  suggest- 
ed ousht  to  be  done.  I  have  hesitated  whether 
the  events  of  the  last  twenty  years,  should  be  here- 
in related,  but  I  have  concluded,  that  as  a  witness 
of  events  can  give  a  more  satisfactory  account  of 
things,  the  history  should  be  brought  down  to  the 
present  time. 

The  records  of  the  town  and  parishes,  and  of  the 
first  church,  have  been  my  authorities,  except  when 
I  have  quoted  others.  These  records  I  have  care- 
fully perused,  and  have  found  them  so  circumstan- 
tial in  some  cases,  that  they  would  authorise  me  to 
state  some  facts,  no  where  directly  asserted.  When 
I  have  depended  on  tradition,  I  have  given  notice 
of  it. 

Before  the  reader  finally  condemns  me  for  de- 
scending too  much  to  small  affairs,  I  hope  he  will 
reflect  that  there  are  some  popular  precedents  to 
lead  me  astray,  among  which  are  Espriellas  Letters 
and  governor  Winthroph  Journal^  and  I  might  like- 
wise mention  as  additional  motive,  an  increasing 
taste  for  these  kinds  of  historical  details. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Grants  from  the  general  court.  Ancient  boundaries.  Original  state  of  the  land. 
Forests.  Swamps.  First  crops.  Origin  of  iVlolher  Brook.  Description  of  the 
village  in  1664.  Present  boundaries.  Parishes.  Description  of  the  town  at 
the  present  time 9 

CHAPTER  II. 

How  a  settler  became  a  proprietor  of  the  lands.  Mode  of  dividing  lands  at  first. 
Common  ploughfield.  Wood  Lands.  Rules  for  making  future  dividends  of 
lands  established  in  1656.  Disputes  arising  therefrom.  Finally  settled  by  com- 
mittee of  general  court.  Measures  to  extinguish  the  Indian  titles.  Treaty 
with  king  Philip  and  other  sachems.  Measures  to  establish  other  plantations. 
Medfield  in  the  records  called  Bargarstowe.  Wrentham  called  Wollomonopoag 
Deerfield  csWeA  Petumtack.  Natick  Indians  principally  under  the  care  of  Mr. 
Eliot 17 

CHAPTER  III. 

Name  of  the  town.  Records.  Incorporation.  Town-covenant.  Town  legisla- 
ture of  seven  men.  By-laws.  Wood  reeves.  The  example  of  a  society  formed 
out  of  its  simple  elements.  Measures  to  support  public  worship.  Method  of 
supporting  ministers.     Parish  funds.     School  funds  and  Schools 31 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Building  mills.  Corn  mills.  Water  mills.  Saw  mill.  Introduction  of  trades. 
Modes  of  cultivating  the  land.  First  articles  carried  to  Boston  market.  Stock 
of  cattle.    Horses.    Swine.    Sheep.     Wolves.     Wildcats 37 

CHAPTER  V. 

First  company,  twenty-four.  Second  company,  twelve.  Increase  in  fifty  years. 
Compendium  of  the  doings  and  improvements  of  fifty  years.  Indian  war. 
Character  of  the  first  generation.  Principal  men,  Edward  Allyne,  John  Allin. 
Eleazer  Lusher,  Daniel  Fisher,  Timothy  Dwight.     Reflections 41 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Annals  of  the  town  from  1686,  to  1736.  Parishes  begin  to  be  settled.  Vacancy  in 
the  ministry  eight  years.  Town  indicted  for  not  keeping  a  grammar  school.  In- 
habitants and  ))roprietors  of  Dedliam  become  distinct  bodies.  Sherburne  dividend. 
Three  sets  of  town  officers  chosen  one  yeair.    Schopls  badly  supported.    Law 


8  CONTENTS. 

against  new  comers.  Bills  of  credit.  Disputed  elections.  School  farm.  Tyot; 
or  second  parish,  incorporated.  Clapboardtrees,  or  third  parish,  incorporated. 
Census.     Review  of  the  last  fifty  years 55 

CHAPTER  VII. 

An  account  of  events  from  1736  to  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Nepouset 
river  becomes  the  east  boundary  of  Dedham.  Land  bank  bills.  Revolutionary 
proceedings.  Votes  against  the  Stamp  tax.  Indemnity  for  losses  by  the  riots 
in  Boston.  Non  importation  agreements.  Vote  against  the  Judges  salary. 
Resolution  to  resist.  Tea  drinkers  denounced,  and  posted  as  enemies  to  the 
<5ountry.  Minute  men.  May  27,  177b,  Independence  declared  by  the  town. 
Preparation  for  war.  E.xertions  to  procure  soldiers.  First  draft  of  a  state  con- 
stitution approved.  Exertions  to  procure  soldiers.  Amount  of  town  expenses 
for  the  war  estimated.  Anecdote  relating  to  Mr.  Clark  the  Episcopal  minister  of 
Dedham.  Mr.  Dexter.  Adoption  of  the  State  constitution.  A  review  of  this 
period 64 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

An  account  of  events  from  1784  to  1826.  Practice  of  giving  instructions  to  repre- 
sentatives. A  specimen.  Votes  in  relation  to  the  insurrection  of  1786.  Ded- 
ham becomes  the  shire  town  of  Norfolk  county.  Political  parlies.  Doings  in 
relation  to  thf  war  of  1812.  The  people  approve  the  war,  and  oppose  the  mea- 
sures designed  to  counteract  it.  State  convention  of  November,  1820.  Stability 
of  character.  The  influence  and  spirit  of  husbandmen  strongly  predominates. 
Condition  of  professional  men  Changes  taking  place  by  the  influence  of  villages. 
Recent  events  calculated  to  diff'use  erroneous  opinions  of  the  character  of  the  in- 
habitants. The  Small  number  of  persons  found  on  the  criminal  docket.  The 
large  number  of  freeholders  proportioned  to  the  whole  population.  Their  com- 
fortable situation.  Increasing  attention  to  education,  to  moral  and  religious  in- 
struction. The  beginning  of  manufactures  and  trades.  Some  faults.  Increase 
of  paupers.  Of  intemperate  men.  Want  of  sufficient  liberality  towards  men  of 
active  and  independent  minds.     The  Ames  family 75 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Ecclesiastical  matters.  Extracts  from  the  church  records,  written  by  the  reverend 
John  Allin,  relating  to  the  gathering  the  Dedham  church.  Ordination  of  teach- 
er and  elder.  Discipline.  Ministry  of  the  reverend  William  Adams.  Minis- 
try of  the  reverend  Joseph  Belcher.  Of  the  reverend  Samuel  Dexter.  Of  the 
reverend  Jason  Haven.  Events  since  1833.  History  of  the  churches  and  min- 
istry in  the  other  parishes 98 

CHAPTER  X. 

Petition  for  grant  of  land  for  a  township.  List  of  freemen  admitted  townsmen 
previous  to  1647.  Succession  in  the  ministry.  School  page.  Parish  funds  and 
benefactors.  Town  and  parish  expenses.  Divisions  of  the  land,  and  descrip- 
tions of  property.  Notices  of  manufactories.  Tables  of  mortality  and  compara- 
tive longevity.  Memoranda  for  natural  history.  Local  customs.  Suggested 
improvements.     Rural  scenes.    Conclusion    121 


^iMt^tw  0f  W$W%3Mm'^ 


CHAPTER  I. 


Grants  from  the  general  court.  Ancient  boundaries.  Orig-inal  slate  of  the  iaiicl. 
Forests.  Swamps.  First  crops.  Origin  of  Mother  Brook.  Description  of  tlic 
village  in  1664.  Present  boundaries.  Parishes.  Description  of  the  town  at 
the  present  time. 


AN  the  year  1635,  the  general  court  then  sitting  at  New- 
towne,  granted  a  tract  of  land  south  of  Charles  river  to 
twelve  men.  The  next  year  nineteen  persons,  including 
the  first  twelve,  petitioned  the  general  court,  then  at  Bos- 
ton, for  an  additional  grant  of  all  the  lands  south  of  Charles 
river,  and  above  the  falls,  not  before  granted,  and  for  a 
tract  five  miles  square,  on  the  north  side  of  Charles  river, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a  settlement.  A  grant  was 
made  agreeable  to  this  petition. 

The  land  included  in  the  last  grant,  constitutes  the  fol- 
lowing towns  at  the  present  time. 

Dedham,  which  now  contains  three  territorial  parishes, 
and  three  poll  parishes. 

Medfield. 

Wrentham.  Two  territorial  parishes,  and  a  society  of 
baptists. 

Needham.     Two  territorial  parishes. 

Bellingham.     Two  religious  societies. 

Walpole. 

Franklin. 

Dover. 

Natick  and  part  of  Sherburne. 

Under  the  grant  of  five  miles  square,  north  of  Charles 
river,  the  grantees  acquired  a  title  to  Dedham  Island, 
Needham,  Natick,  and  three  thousand  four  hundred  acres 
2 


10  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap,  i, 

in  the  east  part  of  Sherburne.  Philemon  Dalton  pur- 
chased three  hundred  acres  of  Samuel  Dudley,  of  Rox- 
bury,  situated  on  or  near  the  south  line  of  Roxbury,  and 
between  that  line  and  Dedham  village.  This  land,  al- 
though within  the  bounds  of  Roxbury  when  purchased, 
was  afterwards  considered  a  part  of  Dedham  ;  and  was 
ceded  to  the  proprietors  of  the  town,  by  the  original  pur- 
chaser. The  boundary  line  between  the  towns  at  this 
place  was  for  several  years  a  subject  of  dispute,  but  was 
finally  decided  by  a  committee  of  the  general  court,  in 
favor  of  Dedham.  The  eastern  boundary  of  Dedham, 
during  a  century  from  its  first  settlement,  was  a  consider- 
able distance  west  of  Neponset  river,  running  nearly  pa- 
rallel with  the  general  course  of  the  river,  and  about  a 
mile  distant  from  it.  But  the  towns  of  Stoughton  and 
Dedham,  by  mutual  consent  carried  back  the  boundary 
to  Neponset  river,  and  it  has  ever  since  remained  the  di- 
viding line  between  the  two  towns.  The  great  care  be- 
stowed by  the  first  settlers,  in  fixing  their  boundaries  with 
precision,  and  afterwards  at  proper  periods  examining  and 
re-establishing  the  monuments  which  denoted  them,  has 
had  a  happy  effect  in  preventing  disputes  on  that  subject. 

Ancient  state  of  the  land. — No  record  exists  which  de- 
scribes the  situation  of  the  meadows  on  Charles  and 
Neponset  rivers,  or  the  forests.  The  meadows  on  Ne- 
ponset river  were  so  far  cleared  of  trees  and  underwood, 
that  they  produced  grass.  The  inhabitants  of  Dedham 
in  the  beginning  of  their  settlement,  hired  those  meadows 
of  Israel  Stoughton  for  a  pasture  for  their  young  cattle. 
A  tradition  existed  at  an  early  period,  that  the  grass, 
called /ort;/  tneadow,  which  is  superior  to  that  of  any  other 
kind  in  the  fresh  water  meadows,  was  first  brought  to  the 
meadows  in  Dedham,  by  a  large  flight  of  wild  fowls,  and 
that  from  thence  the  meadows  and  the  grass  received 
their  names.*  All  the  rivers  and  streams  were  clogged 
with  trees,  roots  and  other  matter,  which  had  been  ac- 
cumulated by  time.    The  water  was  in  consequence  much 


*  Dr.  Nathaniel  Ames,  the  elder,  in  his  Almanack  for  1764,  gives  the  following 
account  of  the  origin  of  fowl  meadow  grass.  "The  famous  fowl  meadow  grass," 
.says  he,  "  was  brought  into  a  spacious  meadow  on  Neponset  river,  by  the  wild 
fowl,  which  frequent  that  place,  where  it  first  made  its  appearance  about  fifty 
years  ago.  The  seed  is  now  collected,  and  carried  into  many  parts  of  the 
comnry."— Hutchinson's  History,  vol.  1,  p.  425. 


CHAP,  i]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  11 

longer  retained  on  the  meadows.  There  are  numerous 
votes  in  the  town  records,  relating  to  the  clearing  of  the 
streams  of  Charles  and  Neponset  rivers.  Numerous  com- 
mittees were  appointed,  to  devise  plans  for  lowering  the 
water  in  Charles  river.  Hay,  of  a  very  coarse  kind,  was 
in  the  beginning  of  the  settlement  obtained  from  these 
meadows.  In  some  places  on  the  bank  of  Charles  river, 
trees  are  imbeded  in  the  mud  eight  or  ten  feet,  and  are 
as  low  as  the  bottom  of  the  present  bed  of  the  river. 
From  these  and  other  data,  it  is  supposed  that  the 
Charles  river  meadows  have  gradually  arisen  from  a 
broken  impenetrable  swamp,  covered  with  fallen  trees,  and 
the  greatest  part  of  the  time  covered  with  water,  to  its 
present  state.  The  grass  in  many  places  has  much  im- 
proved in  quality  within  present  recollection.  A  coat  of 
peat,  from  three  to  four  feet  in  depth  covers  these  mea- 
dows, and  may  have  been  principally  formed  within  two 
hundred  years.  The  deep  soil  of  the  upland  was  covered 
with  large  trees,  principally  oak.  The  large  oak  tree 
now  standing  in  front  of  Mr.  Avery's  dwelling  house  in 
East  street,  of  sixteen  feet  circumference,  is  probably  much 
older  than  this  town,  and  forcibly  reminds  us,  how  strong 
and  stately  stood  his  old  companions  of  the  forest.  Wig- 
wam and  Purgatory-Swamps  were  dismal  places.  They 
were  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  cedars  and  hemlock. 
These  with  much  underwood  rendered  these  places  almost 
impenetrable.  Wigwam  Swamp  became  the  resort  of  wild 
beasts.  It  being  near  the  village,  the  wolf-howl  was  heard 
from  it.  To  break  up  that  den,  it  was  made  a  condition 
of  every  grant  of  land,  that  the  grantee  should  clear  away 
the  wood  standing  on  a  certain  quantity  of  land  in  the 
swamp. 

The  land  when  first  cleared  produced  wheat  and  flax, 
although  these  crops  cannot  now  be  produced.  From  the 
frequent  mention  of  wheat  being  made  a  tender  in  pay- 
ment, and  the  contracts  to  be  fulfilled  by  the  payment  of 
wheat,  it  may  be  inferred  that  it  was  a  usual  crop.  But  I 
discover  no  evidence  to  oppose  the  statement  of  Hutchin- 
son that  wheat  began  to  blast  after  the  year  1664.  The 
rich  mould  which  had  been  created  by  time,  rendered  the 
lands  productive.  It  may  be  presumed  that  all  their  crops 
were  good  at  first,  except  that  of  English  grass.  Tliat 
article  was  very  scarce  for  many  years,  for  in  1649  the  wet 


12  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAM.  [chap.  i. 

season  prevented  the  making  of  hay  on  the  meadows,  and 
there  was  great  distress  here  on  that  account.  The  inhabi- 
tants went  from  this  town  to  the  Wrentham  meadows  to 
cut  grass  that  year. 

Origin  of  Mother  Brook.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north 
of  the  new  court  house  in  Dedham,  Mother  Brook  starts 
out  of  Charles  river  and  runs  in  a  proper  and  direct  course 
round  the  high  lands  near  the  village,  and  then  at  the  only 
place  where  it  could  find  a  passage,  goes  easterly  and 
joins  the  Neponset  river,  forming  in  its  course  between 
the  two  rivers  five  mill  seats  of  great  value.  This  stream 
thus  leaving  its  principal  bed  and  running  off  to  join  a 
neighbouring  stream  has  been  represented  as  a  natural 
curiosity  ;  at  least  the  inhabitants  have  no  knowledge  of 
its  having  been  caused  by  man.  When  I  discovered  the 
record  of  its  being  an  artificial  work,  a  natural,  but  ground- 
less fear  was  excited,  that  it  would  do  harm  to  publish  the 
truth  concerning  it.  Abraham  Shaw  had  been  encoura- 
ged to  build  a  water  mill  in  the  first  year  of  the  settlement 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  designate  the  place. 
Shaw  soon  after  died,  but  the  committee  suggested  the 
measure  of  forming  this  new  stream,  which  is  recorded  in 
these  words  :  "  28th  day,  1st  month,  1639.  Ordered  that  a 
ditch  shall  be  dug  at  common  charge,  through  upper 
Charles  meadow  unto  East  Brook,  that  it  may  both  be  a 
partition  fence  in  the  same,  and  also  may  form  a  suitable 
course  unto  a  water  mill,  that  it  shall  be  found  fitting  to 
set  a  mill  upon  in  the  opinion  of  a  workman  to  be  em- 
ployed for  that  purpose."  The  water  mill  was  soon 
after  built,  as  we  shall  see  hereafter.  The  source  of  East 
Brook  was  more  than  one  hundred  rods  east  of  the  Nor- 
folk and  Bristol  turnpike  where  it  crosses  this  stream.  At 
this  point  a  curious  observer  may  see  the  truth  of  this 
account,  in  the  original  state  of  the  ground  ;  he  will  in  vain 
seek  for  any  natural  bed  of  this  stream.  In  addition  to 
this  evidence  the  tradition  of  cutting  the  canal  for  this 
stream,  has  been  preserved  in  one  family,  which  from  fear 
of  consequences,  have  refrained  from  divulging  the  fact. 

Description  of  the  viUage  in  1664.  The  first  settlers 
agreed  that  each  married  man  should  have  a  house  lot 
of  twelve  acres;  part  upland,  and  part  meadow.     In  loca- 


oiAP.  1.1  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  13 

ting  the  lots  by  such  a  rule,  they  must  necessarily  be  near 
each  other,  on  the  margin  of  the  meadows  near  the  mod- 
ern village.  Such  in  fact  was  the  case.  In  1G64,  ninety-five 
small  houses  near  each  other  were  situated  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  place  where  the  new  court  house  now 
stands  ;  the  greater  part  of  them  east  of  that  place,  and 
around  Dwight's  brook.  A  row  of  houses  stood  on  the 
north  side  of  High  street,  as  that  road  was  then  called, 
which  extends  from  the  bridge  over  Dwight's  brook  west- 
wardly  by  the  court  house.  The  total  amount  of  the 
value  of  these  houses  was  691  pounds.  Four  only  of  the 
houses  were  valued  at  20  pounds.  The  greater  number 
were  valued  from  three  to  ten  pounds.  The  greatest  num- 
ber of  these  houses  were  built  soon  after  the  first  settle- 
ment commenced.  There  were  then  very  few  carpenters, 
joiners  or  masons  in  the  colony.  There  was  no  saw  mill 
in  the  settlement  for  many  years.  The  only  boards  which 
could  be  procured  at  first,  were  those  which  were  sawed 
by  hand.  The  saw  pits,  now  seen,  denote  that  boards 
were  sawed  in  the  woods.  The  necessary  materials, 
bricks,  glass  and  nails,  were  scarcely  to  be  obtained. 
These  houses  therefore  must  have  been  principally  con- 
structed by  farmers,  not  by  mechanics,  and  have  been 
very  rude  and  inconvenient.  They  were  probably  log- 
houses.  Their  roofs  were  covered  with  thatch.  By  an 
ordnance  of  the  town,  a  ladder  was  ordered  to  extend  from 
the  ground  to  the  chimney,  as  a  substitute  for  a  more 
perfect  fire  engine.  Around  these  houses  nothing  was 
seen  but  stumps,  clumsy  fences  of  poles,  and  an  uneven 
and  unsubdued  soil  ;  such  as  all  the  first  settlements  in 
New  England  present.  The  native  forest  trees  were  not 
suitable  shades  for  a  door  yard.  A  shady  tree  was  not 
then  such  an  agreeable  object  as  it  now  is,  because  it 
could  form  no  agreeable  contrast  with  cleared  grounds. 
Where  the  meeting  house  of  the  first  parish  now  stands, 
there  stood  for  more  than  30  years  a  low  building,  thirty 
six  feet  long  and  twenty  wide,  twelve  feet  high,  with  a 
thatched  roof,  and  a  large  ladder  resting  on  it.  This  was  the 
first  meeting  house.  Nearby  was  the  school  house  stand- 
ing on  an  area  of  18  feet  by  14,  and  rising  to  three  stories, 
The  third  story  however  was  a  watch  house  of  small 
dimensions.  The  watch  house  was  beside  the  ample 
stone  chimney.     The  spectator  elevated  on  the  little  box 


14  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap,  i, 

called  the  watch  house,  might  view  this  plain,  on  ivhich 
a  part  of  the  present  village  stands,  then  a  common  plough 
field,  containing  then  about  two  hundred  acres  of  cleared 
land,  partially  subdued  ;  yet  full  of  stumps  and  roots. 
Around  him  at  a  farther  distance,  were  the  herd  ivalks,  as 
the  common  feeding  lands  were  called,  in  the  language  of 
that  time.  One  of  these  herd-walks  was  on  Dedham  Island 
north  of  Charles  river,  and  one  was  at  East  street  and  more 
fully  in  view.  The  other  herd  walk  was  on  South  plain. 
The  herd  walks  were  at  first  no  better  cultivated  than 
cutting  down  the  trees,  and  carrying  away  the  wood  and 
timber,  and  afterwards,  when  it  was  practicable  in  the 
spring  of  the  year,  burning  them  over  under  the  direction 
of  town  officers  called  wood  reeves.  Land  thus  treated 
would  in  the  spring  appear  barren  ;  for  nothing  would 
be  seen  but  black  stumps,  the  burnt  soil,  and  the  rocks. 
It  would  scarcely  appear  better  when  the  wild  grass  and 
the  cropped  shrubs  next  succeeded.  The  meadows  were 
not  yet  cleared  to  any  great  extent.  Beyond  these  herd 
walks,  was  a  continued  v.ilderness,  which  was  becoming 
more  disagreeable  to  the  inhabitants,  for  the  cattle  and 
goats  and  swine  seem  to  have  allured  the  wolves  to  their 
neighborhood.  The  dense  swamps  about  Wigwam  were 
not  yet  cleared.  The  numerous  dogs  in  the  plantation, 
which  were  so  troublesome  to  the  worshipping  assembly, 
were  not  a  sufficient  guard  against  the  wolves.  The  inhab- 
itants for  many  years  after  this  period  encouraged  their 
hunters  by  additional  bounties  to  destroy  these  troublesome 
enemies. 

The  herd  walks  in  1G59  contained  532  acres,  and  the 
inhabitants  then  had  feeding  therein  477  cattle.  The 
roads  were  very  imperfect.  We  hear  of  persons  passing 
on  the  bridge  and  cause  way  at  Dwight's  brook,  when  the 
water  thereon  was  as  high  as  the  horses  belly,  so  late  as 
the  year  1700. 

A  law  of  the  colony  as  well  as  the  dangers  of  the  people, 
compelled  the  first  settlers  to  build  their  houses  near  each 
other.  The  necessity  of  adhering  to  this  law,  continued 
more  than  50  years.  In  1682  complaints  were  made  in 
town  meeting,  that  some  had  built  houses  a  mile  and  an 
half  from  the  meeting  house.  It  was  prohibited  at  that 
time.  But  the  law  soon  after  began  to  be  disregarded, 
and  the  inhabitants  soon  abandoned  their  first  habitations ; 


CHAP.  I.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  15 

and  built  houses  in  all  parts  of  the  present  town.  Sixty 
or  seventy  years  time  swept  away  the  humble  village  of 
the  first  settlers  ;  and  the  place  was  occupied  by  a  few 
farmers  for  about  a  hundred  years.  When  Dedham  became 
the  seat  of  justice  for  the  county  of  Norfolk,  then  began 
the  second  village  on  the  place  of  the  former  one. 

The  present  village  including  Connecticut  corner,  con- 
tains upwards  of  one  hundred  houses.  Nearly  all  of  them 
are  two  stories  high  and  convenient.  More  than  four  fifths 
of  the  houses  are  painted,  a  few  are  elegant,  so  far  as  that 
term  can  with  propriety  be  applied  to  a  wooden  house. 
The  public  buildings  are  three  houses  for  public  worship, 
a  stone  jail  and  a  new  stone  court  house.  It  may  be  esti- 
mated that  the  present  town  contains  a  quantity  of  land 
equal  to  a  tract  of  six  and  an  half  miles  in  length  and 
five  and  a  half  miles  in  breadth.  The  Norfolk  and  Bris- 
tol turnpike  runs  from  the  Roxbury  line,  in  a  south  west- 
erly direction  through  the  town,  intersecting  it  lengthwise, 
leaving  somewhat  the  greatest  section  on  the  west  of  it. 
There  are  sixty-seven  miles  of  other  roads.  The  extensive 
and  valuable  meadows  on  Neponset  river  are  skirted  with 
forests,  sometimes  with  the  evergreens  of  the  low-land, 
and  then  with  forests  of  oak  and  walnut.  There  are  seve- 
ral smooth  plains  of  '^ome  extent.  The  uplands  in  some 
places  have  rocky  or  uneven  surface  unfit  for  cultivation. 
These  places  will  always  present  the  same  appearance  ; 
for  they  will  be  used  only  for  growing  wood,  for  which 
they  are  valuable. 

Excepting  these  wood  lands,  which  are  not  too  extensive 
for  their  appropriated  use,  the  surface  is  agreeably  varied 
with  rising  grounds  of  a  smooth  surface.  The  ground 
most  elevated  in  the  town,  is  that  where  is  situated  the 
meeting  house  of  the  third  parish.  From  that  place  the 
spectator  has  an  extensive  prospect.  This  spot  may  be 
considered  as  a  place  devoted  forever  in  the  affections  of 
the  people  in  that  neighbourhood  ;  since  their  late  pastor 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Thatcher,  on  the  occasion  of  pulling 
down  the  old  meeting  house  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 
new  one  thereon,  so  appropriately  applied  to  it  the  text  of 
his  discourse,  "  Our  Fathers  worshipped  on  this  Mountain.''^ 
A  tract  of  the  best  land  in  town  is  situated  on  the  hills 
north  of  this  meeting  house.  The  stranger  passing  on 
the  main  roads  in  town,  sees  nothing,  the  buildings  ex- 


1 0  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  i. 

cepted,  above  ordinary  interest.  Yet  if  he  have  a  taste 
for  a  variety  of  rural  scenes,*  he  may  be  dehghted  with 
places  on  Uedham  Island,  with  the  banks  of  the  Mother 
Brook  at  the  mills,  with  the  thick  woods  south  of  Wig- 
wam, and  even  with  that  forest  called  Muddy  Pond  woods, 
and  wood  lands  south  of  it,  and  particularly  with  that  high 
ground  north  of  the  third  parish  meeting  house,  called 
Fox  hill.  A  village  is  about  to  arise  at  a  place  called  the 
Mills,  one  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  Court  house.  The 
water  power  of  five  dams  across  Mother  Brook,  will  soon 
move  a  considerable  quantity  of  machinery  ;  and  there 
must  soon  be  a  considerable  increase  of  houses  and  pop- 
ulation at  that  place,  possibly  it  may  in  a  short  time  ex- 
ceed that  around  the  court  house. 

In  the  tables  which  I  shall  annex  to  this  sketch,  I  shall 
give  a  more  definite  description  of  the  rising  manufactur- 
ing establishments  at  this  place. 

"  Rura  mihi  et  rigui  placeant  in  vallibus  amnes 
Flumina  aniem  S^  Ivas  que  ing-lorius. —  Virgil. 


CHAP.  Ti]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAJL.  1 T 


CHAPTER  II. 


How  a  settler  became  a  proprietor  of  the  land«.  Mode  of  dividing  lands  at  first. 
Common  ploug-hfield.  Wood  Lands.  Rules  for  making  future  dividends  of 
lands  establisiied  in  1656.  Disputes  arising  therefrom.  Finally  settled  by  com- 
mittee of  general  court.  Measures  to  extinguish  the  Indian  titles.  Treaty 
with  king  Philip  and  other  sachems.  Bleasures  to  estciblish  other  plantations. 
Medfield  in  the  records  called  iJac^a/'Stooe.  Wrentham  called  Wollornonopoag-. 
Deerfield  called  Pe/2/mtec^.  Nalick  Indians  principally  under  the  care  of  Mr. 
Eliot.  

How  persons  became  ■proprietors  of  the  common  lands. — The 
second  grant  of  the  general  court  in  September,  163G, 
enlarging  the  former  one,  for  a  plantation,  was  made  to 
nineteen  persons.  These  grantees  of  course  were  the 
sole  owners  until  they  admitted  new  associates.  This 
they  did  at  first  without  demanding  any  compensation. 
By  the  fourth  article  in  the  town  covenant,  every  man 
was  entitled  to  have  lots  in  town,  who  was  admitted  an 
inhabitant,  and  would  sign  the  covenant,  which  obliged 
him  to  pay  all  sums  imposed  on  him  rateably,  and  subject- 
ed him  to  the  observance  of  all  orders  and  constitutions 
necessary  for  the  public  peace,  and  a  loving  society. 

As  the  new  comers  were  voted  into  the  society,  they 
immediately  had  lots  assigned  them. 

After  the  wood  was  cleared  off  their  home  lots,  the  in- 
habitants applied  to  the  wood  reeves  for  leave  to  cut  wood 
and  timber,  to  cut  hoop  poles,  and  peal  bark  on  the  com- 
mon lands.  The  frequent  practice  of  cutting  without 
leave  caused  much  difficulty. 

In  1642,  the  proprietors,  then  forty-seven  in  number, 
agreed  that  200  acres  of  the  land  where  the  houses  now 
stand  south  of  high  street,  should  be  made  a  common  til- 
lage field  ;  and  that  each  proprietor's  share  therein,  should 
be  marked  out  and  assigned  to  him  by  seven  men  chosen 
for  til  at  purpose. 

The  execution  of  this  design  shows  the  excellent  spirit 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  great  influence  of  their  princi- 
pal men. 

The  seven  committee  men  decided  that  the  quantity  of 
land  to  bo  assigned  to  each  person  ought  not  to  depend 
3 


18  HISTORY  or  DEDHAAl.  [chap.  ii. 

Oil  one  arbiliiuy  rule,  but  on  the  various  considerations  of 
each  man's  personal  merit,  and  usefulness,  on  his  ability 
to  improve,  or  the  amount  of  taxes  by  him  paid.  Some 
men,  then  servants,  were  to  have  lots  as  freemen.  Upon 
this  plan,  major  Lusher  with  the  rest  of  the  committee,  set 
ofi'to  Mr.  Allin,  the  minister,  23  acres,  to  elder  Hunting 
and  deacon  Chickering,  14  acres  each,  to  major  Lusher  IS 
acres,  to  the  remainder  of  the  inhabitants  from  eight  to  one 
acre  each.  How  admirable  the  love  of  peace  which  sub- 
mits without  complaint  to  such  a  division  ! !  Can  any 
Agrarian  law  ever  etiect  a  division  of  lands  so  perfect  as 
this.? 

In  1645,  375  acres  of  wood  land  were  divided  among 
the  proprietors  on  a  similar  plan. 

In  1656,  the  proprietors  resolved  they  would  not  make 
any  more  free  grants  of  their  common  lands  to  strangers. 
It  became  necessary  therefore  to  establish  some  perma- 
nent rule  for  dividing  their  lands,  among  the  present  pro- 
prietors and  their  heirs.  No  one  pretended  that  all  should 
have  an  equal  share.  They  agreed  on  this  principle. — 
That  each  man's  share  should  be  proportioned  to  the  valu- 
ation of  his  property,  as  it  was  made  the  last  year  for  the 
purpose  of  assessing  the  rates.  They  then  found  that  the 
number  of  acres  in  the  herd  walks,  or  cow  commons,  was 
532  acres,  and  the  number  of  cattle  fed  thereon  somewhat 
less.  They  further  found  that  by  allowing  one  cow  com- 
mon for  every  eight  pounds  valuation  of  estate,  the  whole 
number  of  cow  common  rights  or  shares  would  be  four 
hundred  and  seventy-seven.  And  this  would  make  the 
number  of  cow  commons  the  nearest  to  their  then  num- 
ber of  cattle.  Five  goat  commons  or  five  sheep  commons 
were  computed  equal  to  one  cow  common,  and  were  used 
as  fractions  of  a  whole  right.  When  this  rule  came  to  be 
applied,  it  bore  hardly  on  several  poor  persons,  whose 
estates  were  low  in  the  valuation.  The  proprietors  there- 
fore, so  far  departed  from  the  rule,  that  they  granted  to 
these  poor  men,  according  to  the  necessity  or  equity  of 
their  case,  twenty-five  cow  common  rights  more,  which 
added  to  the  former  number  made  five  hundred  and  two 
common  rights  or  shares.  By  making  the  number  of 
shares  five  hundred  and  two,  a  two  fold  purpose  was 
answered.  It  regulated  the  right  which  each  man  then 
had  in  the  herd  walk,  and  it  would  serve  as  a  rule  in  all 


CHAP.  II.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  J  9 

future  dividends  throughout  their  extensive  proprietary. 
Thus  far  the  proprietors  proceeded  without  any  difficulty, 
and  what  they  had  done  was  not  afterwards  questionetl. 
But  they  went  farther  and  determined,  that  those  propri- 
etors who  had  lands  in  town,  but  who  did  not  reside  in  it 
at  that  time,  should  not  iiave  any  right  to  put  cattle  into 
the  cow  commons,  although  they  should  have  dividends 
in  the  lands.  This  decision  operated  unequally  on  ensign 
Henry  Philips,  who  then  lived  in  Boston,  and  on  several 
others.  They  made  their  complaints.  To  settle  this  dis- 
pute, major  Humphrey  Atherton,  Richard  Russel,  Thomas 
Danforth,  Royai  Clap,  and  Riclfard  Cook,  were  appointed 
referees,  by  the  general  court,  and  afterwards  by  the  con- 
sent of  the  contending  parties.  These  commissioners 
came  to  Dedham  in  February,  1659,  and  made  a  formal 
award,  which  they  support  by  several  quotations  of  scrip- 
ture. They  award  to  ensign  Philips  and  other  aggrieved 
persons,  twelve  more  cow  common  rights ;  and  that  the 
church,  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  a  teacher,  should 
have  eight  more,  making  the  whole  number,  five  hundred 
and  twenty-two.  The  parties  acquiesced  in  this  decision, 
and  the  selectmen  immediately  agreeably  to  the  rule  thus 
finally  settled,  assigned  to  the  eighty  proprietors  their  due 
shares.  The  commissioners  further  awarded,  that  in  all 
future  measures,  in  managing  the  proprietary,  the  majority 
in  interest  should  govern.  Thus  after  this  decision,  there 
were  two  distinct  bodies.  The  proprietors  and  inhabi- 
tants, including  non-proprietors.  But  for  many  years  this 
distinction  existed  only  in  theory,  for  there  were  not  any 
persons  for  many  years  in  the  town,  who  were  inhabitants 
and  at  the  same  time  non-proprietors.  In  process  of  time, 
the  two  separate  bodies  had  meetings  on  the  same  day, 
and  their  doings  were  recorded  in  the  same  book.  The 
commissioners  mention  that  many  places  had  almost  been 
ruined  by  disputes  occasioned  by  a  division  of  lands. 

Exiinffuishmeni  of  Indian  titles. — The  land  was  granted 
to  the  first  settlers,  subject  to  the  Indian  title.  They 
were  bound  by  a  law  of  the  colony,  as  well  as  by  their 
own  sense  of  right,  to  extinguish  that  title,  by  equitable 
contract.  It  is  pleasing  to  find  h(5W  fully  and  fairly  this 
was  done. 

In   1j660,  two  agents  are  appointed   to  treat  with  tl)e 


20  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  *      [chap,  ii. 

Sagamores  who  owned  Wollomonopoag,  now  Wrentham. 
In  1G62,  Richard  Ellis  and  Timothy  Dwight,  the  agents 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  made  a  report,  that  they  had 
made  a  treaty  with  Philip  the  Sagamore,  for  lands  six 
miles  square,  or  as  much  as  six  miles  square,  at  Wollomo- 
nopoag, and  exhibited  his  deed  thereof,  under  hand  and 
seal.  Six  days  after  this  report  is  made,  the  town  ratify 
the  treaty  and  assess  their  common  rights,  to  the  amount 
of  twenty-four  pounds  ten  shillings,  for  the  purpose  of  pay- 
ing king  Philip  the  st  pulated  price  for  his  deed.  This 
treaty  required  five  years  of  negociation,  as  appears  by 
-the  records.  Our  commissioners  were  assisted  in  this 
business  by  captain  Thomas  Willet,  of  Sekonk,  a  gentle- 
man very  useful  to  the  early  colonists,  in  many  employ- 
ments. 

''In  November,  1669,  upon  notice  of  Philip,  sagamore 
of  Mount  Hope,  now  at  Wollomonopoag,  offering  a  treaty 
of  his  lands  thereabouts,  not  yet  purchased."  The  select- 
men appoint  Timothy  Dwight,  and  four  other  persons,  to 
repair  to  him  on  the  morrow,  with  authority  to  treat  with 
liim  for  his  remaining  right  thereabouts,  provided  he  can 
show  that  he  has  any,  and  provided  he  will  secure  the 
town  against  future  claims  of  other  sachems. 

At  this  time  the  first  grant  of  six  miles  square  had  not 
been  located  ;  possibly  however  the  boundaries  may  have 
been  fixed  in  the  deed.  Tradition  informs  us  that  in  this 
second  treaty,  king  Philip  showed  the  Dedham  commis- 
sioners the  northern  boundaries  of  his  kingdom,  which 
was  the  southern  boundary  of  the  sachemdom  of  Chick- 
atabot,  which  was  somewhere  in  the  town  of  W  alpole,  and 
actually  traced  out  the  line,  beginning  at  a  point  north 
east  of  the  Wollomonopoag  hill  in  Wrentham,  then  going 
westerly  in  a  circuit,  round  that  point,  and  that  the  shape 
of  land  in  the  second  grant,  was  somewhat  like  that  of  a 
new  moon,  inclosing  a  part  of  the  first  grant  within  its 
Jiorns.  Why  any  land,  esf  ecially  a  narrow  strip,  should 
have  been  reserved  to  Philip  in  this  place,  is  not  easily 
accounted  for.  Probably  none  was  really  reserved ;  but 
that  wary  chief,  finding  that  the  inhabitants  were  willing 
to  purchase  and  prompt  to  pay,  was  willing  to  make  an 
experiment.  By  this  time  he  had  learned  that  the  white 
people  would  at  all  events  possess  his  lands,  and  the  only 
thing  he  could  do,  was  then  to  procure  as  much  money  for 


CHAP.  11]    *  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  21 

his  lands  as  he  could.  Besides,  he  might  well  calculate 
that  the  inhabitants  would  prefer  to  purchase  a  doubtful 
title,  rather  than  that  a  powerful  sagamore  should  have  a 
plausible  pretext  for  a  quarrel.  On  the  15th  of  November, 
1669,  the  town  ordered  the  common  rights?^  to  be  assessed 
seventeen  pounds  eight  shillings,  to  complete  the  payment 
of  this  second  purchase  of  Philip. 

The  Indian  titles  to  Dedham  and  Medjield. — The  sachems 
of  the  Neponset  tribe  claimed  the  territory  west  of  the  river 
Neponset,  bounded  northerly  by  Charles  river,  and  south- 
erly on  king  Philip's  land.  I  find  no  deed  nor  treaty  for 
the  title  to  Dedham,  but  it  must  be  inferred  that  a  pur- 
chase was  actually  made.  For  in  the  year  1684,  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  treat  with  the  Indian  sachem  Josias, 
for  a  parcel  of  land  south  of  Neponset  river,  near  the 
saw  mills,  and  to  inocurc  from  him  a  confirmation  of  all  the 
lands  between  that  and  Charles  river.  The  purchase  was 
made  with  Messrs.  Dudley  and  Stoughton,  the  guardians 
of  Josias.     And  five  pounds  given  for  the  claim. 

The  Indian  title  to  the  land  in  Medfield  was  purchased 
of  Chickatabot ;  it  was  afterwards  again  purchased  of 
his  grand-son,  Josias,  in  1685,  for  the  consideration  of 
four  pounds  ten  shillings.^ 

William  JVehoiden  and  Mao;iis''  titles. — In  April,  1680, 
the  town  agreed  to  give  William  Nehoiden  ten  pounds  in 
money,  forty  shillings  in  Indian  corn,  forty  acres  of  land 
at  the  upper  falls  on  Charles  river,  for  a  tract  of  land  seven 
miles  long,  from  east  to  west,  on  the  north  side  of  Charles 
river,  and  five  miles  wide. 

In  the  same  year,  they  gave  Magus,  another  sachem, 
eight  pounds,  three  in  Indian  corn,  and  five  in  money,  for 
his  lands  about  Magus  hill.  Thus  was  the  Indian  title  to 
Natick,  Needham,  and  Dedham  island  extinguished. 

In  1681,  the  town  voted  that  all  deeds  and  other  writ- 
ings relating  to  the  town  rights,  should  be  collected  for 
the  purpose  of  being  more  carefully  preserved.  After  this 
vote  had  been  duly  published,  captain  Fisher  and  Timothy 
Dwight  brought  to  the  selectmen  seven  Indian  deeds,  four 
from  the  Indians  at  Petumtuck,  one  from  Philip,  one  from 
Nehoiden,  one  from  Magus,  and  a  receipt  from  Philip. 
These  writings  were  ordered  to  be  deposited  in  a  box  kept 

*  Dr-  Saunders'  sermon,  preached  at  Medfield,  January  5, 1817. 


22  HISTORY  OF  DEBHAM.  [cMAf.  n. 

by  deacon  Aklis  for  that  purpose.  I  cai.not  find  that  any 
of  these  deeds  were  recorded  in  the  town  records,  or  that 
they  are  now  in  existence.  These  purchases  were  made 
with  much  difficulty,  and  some  of  them  required  many  years 
of  negociation.  The  purchases  were  for  a  sufficient  con- 
sideration. No  white  man  could  overreach  Philip.  Josias 
was  under  the  guardianship  of  governor  Dudley  and  Mr. 
Stoughton,  and  advised  by  his  counsellors,  old  Ahawton, 
W  lliam  Ahawton,  and  Robert  JMomontage.  The  interests 
of  the  Naticks  were  protected  by  general  Gookins,  and 
Mr.  Eliot. 

Settlements  begun  in  other  towns. — When  the  general 
court  granted  so  large  a  tract  of  land  as  it  did,  to  the  first 
inhabitants,  it  virtually  imposed  on  them  the  duty  of  be- 
ginning new  settlements  in  different  places,  within  their 
territory,  whenever  circumstances  u'ould  permit  it  to  be 
done. 

The  well  being  of  the  colony  required  that  every  new 
settlement  to  be  made  in  the  wiiderness,  should  be  under- 
taken by  a  sufficient  number  of  persons,  by  men  of  ortho- 
dox opinions  in  religion,  of  competent  abilities,  and  under 
such  other  encouraging  circumstances  as  would  justify 
the  attempt.  How  well  the  principal  men  of  this  planta- 
tion acquitted  themselves,  in  performing  this  difficult  and 
important  duty,  we  shall  sec. 

Medjield. — Medfield  was  the  first  town  settled  by  the 
Dedham  proprietors.  In  1640,  Dcdham  granted  to  Ed- 
ward Allyne,  300  acres  at  Bargarstowe,  (so  spelled,)  where 
he  should  chose  to  have  the  land,  with  fifty  acres  of  mea- 
dow. This  grant  was  not  located  until  1649,  when  it  was 
done  by  an  order  of  the  town,  under  the  direction  of  major 
Lusher,  and  two  others.  Mr.  Allyne  was  then  dead. — 
This  gentleman  died  in  Boston,  in  1642.  The  petition  to 
the  general  court  in  1649,  for  the  grant  of  a  township  by 
Edward  Allyne  and  others,  as  asserted  by  Dr.  Saunders' 
sermon,  is  so  far  incorrect,  that  it  was  probably  the  heirs 
of  Edward  Allyne  who  were  among  the  petitioners,  and 
not  Edwp.rd  Allyne  himself,  as  asserted. 

In  January,  1650,  the  town  of  Dedham  consented  with- 
out any  objection,  to  the  incorporation  of  Medfield,  and 
then  transferred  all  its  right  to  the  soil,  and  its  jurisdietion 
to  that  town. 


CHA?.  n]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  23 

Ralph  Wheelock  and  Robert  Hinsdale,  of  the  first  eight 
admitted  into  the  Dedham  church,  were  among  the  first 
settlers.  Mr.  Wheelock  had  been  a  candidate  for  rul- 
ing elder.  The  character  of  all  the  settlers  were  such 
that  all  stipulations  for  the  support  of  religion  and  educa- 
tion were  unnecessary.  After  an  amicable  negociation  of 
one  or  two  years,  Medfield,  by  their  commissioners,  Tho- 
mas Parsons,  Robert  Hinsdale,  Henry  Adams,  and  George 
Barber,  agreed  to  pay  Dedham  fifty  pounds,  in  two  years, 
for  all  its  rights  in  the  lands  in  Medfield. 

Wrentham. — In  1660,  a  committee  previously  appointed, 
report  to  the  town  that  they  had  been  to  view  the  lands  at 
Wollomonopoag,  and  recommend  a  settlement  there.  A 
committee  is  then  appointed  to  make  regulations  for  the 
proposed  plantation.  The  next  year,  the  town  order  six 
hundred  acres  to  be  laid  down  at  that  place  to  encour- 
age a  plantation  there,  and  a  committee  of  five  persons,  of 
which  major  Lusher  is  chairman,  is  appointed  to  regulate 
the  business.  The  committee  is  authorised  to  determine 
who  were  suitable  persons  to  be  entrusted  with  the  go- 
vernment of  the  new  settlement.  To  locate  the  village  to 
be  built.  To  designate  the  place  for  a  meeting  house, 
and  to  establish  highways. 

In  1661,  the  proprietors  of  Dedham  voted  to  sell  all  their 
uplands  and  meadows  at  Wollomonopoag,  to  suchpersons  as 
are  ^^  jit  to  carry  on  the  work  of  a  plantation  in  church  and  com- 
monwealth,^'' for  the  consideration  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
pounds,  to  be  paid  by  installments,  in  four  years.  The 
next  year,  the  town  voted  to  suspend  the  settlement  for  the 
present.  Previous  to  this,  the  following  persons  had  al- 
ready begun  a  settlement.  Anthonv  Fisher,  Sargent  El- 
lis, Robert  Ware,  James  Thorp,  Isaac  Bullard,  Samuel 
Fisher,  Samuel  Parker,  .Tohn  Farrington,  Ralph  Freeman, 
and  Sargent  Stevens.  When  these  ffl'en  were  prohibited 
from  proceeding  in  the  settlement,  a  question  arose  who 
should  possess  the  600  acres,  appropriated  for  the  encour- 
agement of  the  plantation.  It  was  claimed  exclusively  by 
those  who  had  begun  the  plantation.  The  vote  devoting 
six  hundred  acres  for  that  purpose,  was  indeed  indefinite, 
but  it  must  have  encouraged  the  expectation,  that  it  was  a 
donation — the  town  determined  otherwise.  But  the  suf- 
ferers, by  this  unsuccessful  attempt  to  make  a  settlement. 


24  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAAI.  [chap.  n. 

were  partially  or  entirely  indemnified.  The  records  do 
not  stale  why  the  settlement  was  suspended,  but  it  is  pret- 
ty evident  that  a  sufficient  number  of  orthodox  and  able 
men  did  not  volunteer  at  first  in  that  enterprise.  In  the 
language  of  the  town  vote,  the  persons  were  not  fit  for  the 
w'ork  of  church  and  commonwealth.  In  1672,  it  appears 
thirty-four  persons  owned  all  the  lands  at  Wrentham,  by 
an  assessment  on  their  common  rights  in  that  town.  By 
this  time,  the  number  and  ability  of  the  inhabitants  were 
sufficient  to  support  the  plantation.  They  could  then 
comply  with  the  condition  in  the  grant.  They  were  of 
sufficient  numbers  and  capacity  to  carry  on  the  work  of 
church  and  commonwealth,  in  the  opinion  of  the  general 
court.  They  were  incorporated  into  a  township  in  the 
year  1673.  In  the  succeeding  year,  the  proprietors  of 
Dedham  transferred  all  their  records  relating  to  Wren- 
tham, to  the  inhabitants  in  that  place. 

Deerfield,  (called  Petumtuck,  in  the  records.) — When  the 
general  court  ordered  two  thousand  acres  of  land,  within 
the  grant  to  Dedham,  to  be  appropriated  for  an  Indian 
village  at  Natick;  it  granted  at  the  same  time  to  the  pro- 
prietors of  this  town,  as  a  compensation  therefore,  8000 
acres  of  any  unlocated  lands  within  the  jurisdiction,  where- 
ever  they  might  chose  to  have  the  land. 

In  1663,  messengers  were  sent  out  by  the  town,  to  ex- 
amine the  chesnut  country,  (so  called  in  the  records,  pro- 
bably some  part  of  Worcester  county,)  near  Lancaster. — 
On  their  return,  the)  reported  that  the  land  was  tolerably 
good,  but  hard  to  bring  under  cultivation,  and  there  was 
not  there  a  sufficiency  of  meadow.  Soon  after  this  report 
was  made,  John  Fairbanks  informed  the  selectmen,  that 
there  was  some  very  good  land  about  twelve  miles  from 
Hadley,  where  the  SOOO  acres  might  be  located.  Whereup- 
on the  selectmen  immediately  sent  out  John  Fairbanks  and 
lieutenant  Daniel  Fisher,  to  discover  the  land  and  examine 
it.  These  men  were  instructed  first  to  go  to  Sudbury 
and  enquire  of  ensign  Noys,  and  if  necessary,  then  go  to 
Lancaster,  to  enquire  of  Good  Willard  respecting  the  land. 
On  their  return,  they  reported  that  they  had  found  the  land 
sought  after,  that  it  was  exceedingly  good,  and  ought  as 
soon  as  possible,  be  taken  possession  of  under  the  grant. 
He  who  has  seen  the  fertile  intervales  on  Deerfield  river. 


CHAP.  II.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  25 

or  heard  of  the  famous  fat  cattle  annually  brought  thence 
to  the  Brighton  market,  or  recollects  the  subsequent  events 
of  Indian  warfare  at  that  place,  can  hardly  suppress  in  his 
imagination,  the  glowing  and  interesting  account  the  re- 
turning messengers  would  give  of  that  country.  Lieu- 
tenant Fisher  we  may  suppose  would  say,  on  this  occasion, 
after  having  given  his  account  of  wandering  many  days  in 
the  hilly  country,  covered  with  great  trees  of  oak  and 
chesnut,  and  having  described  the  only  settlements  of  white 
men  seen  on  his  journey,  Sudbury,  Lancaster,  and  Hadlcy, 
"We  at  length  arrived  at  the  place  we  sought  after.  We 
called  it  Petumtuck,  because  there  dwell  the  Petumtuck 
Indians.  Having  ascended  a  little  hill,  apparently  sur- 
rounded by  rich  meadow  land,  from  that  spot  we  beheld 
broad  meadows,  extending  far  north,  west,  and  south  of  us. 
In  these  meadows  we  could  trace  the  course  of  a  fine  river, 
which  comes  out  from  the  mountains  on  the  north  west, 
and  running  northerly,  through  many  miles  of  meadow, 
seemed  to  us  to  run  in  among  the  hills  again,  at  the  north 
east.  The  tall  trees  of  button  wood  and  elm,  exposed  to 
us  its  course.  That  meadow  is  not  soft  and  covered  with 
coarse  water  grass,  like  that  around  us  here, but  is  hard  land. 
It  is  the  best  land  that  we  have  seen  in  this  colony;  we 
dug  holes  in  the  meadow,  with  the  intent  to  find  the  depth 
of  the  soil,  but  could  not  find  the  bottom.  At  the  foot  of 
the  little  hill  we  stood  on,  is  a  plat  of  ground  sufficiently 
large  to  build  a  village  upon,  and  sufiiciently  high  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  spring  floods.  Providence  led  us 
to  that  place  ?  It  is  indeed  far  away  from  our  plantations, 
and  the  Canaanites  and  Amahldtes  dwell  in  that  valley,  and 
if  they  have  any  attachment  to  any  spot  on  earth,  must 
delight  to  live  there.  But  that  land  must  be  ours.  t>ur 
people  have  resolute  and  pious  hearts,  and  strong  liands  to 
overcome  all  difficulties.  Let  us  go  and  possess  the  land, 
and  in  a  few  years  you  vv^ill  hear  more  boast  of  it  in  this 
colony,  as  a  land  good  for  flocks  and  herds,  than  could 
ever  be  justly  said  of  the  land  of  Goshen,  or  any  part  of 
the  land  of  Canaan." 

When  the  town  heard  this  report,  it  immediately  ap- 
pointed six  persons  to  repair  to  Petumtuck,  and  cause  the 
8000  acres  to  be  located  there.  Captain  John  Pynchon, 
of  Springfield,  wns  employed  by  the  town  to  purchase 
those  lands  of  the  Indians.  He  soon  after  performed  that 
1 


26  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [cHAr.  ir, 

duty,  and  piocured  four  deeds  from  the  Indians,  which 
deeds  were  afterwards  deposited  in  deacon  Aldis'  box. — 
Dedham  gave  ninety-four  pounds  ten  shillings  for  these 
deeds  ;  which  sum  was  procured  by  an  assessment  on  the 
common  rights  in  the  Dedham  proprietary. 

In  1670,  the  proprietors  of  Petumtuck  met  at  Dedham. 
Their  whole  number  was  twenty-six.  Captain  John 
Pynchon,  Samuel  Hinsdale,  John  Stebbins,  John  Hulburt, 
and  Sampson  Frarey,  among  the  proprietors,  were  never 
inhabitants  of  Dedham.  The  remaining  part  of  the  pro- 
prietors were  inhabitants  of  this  town. 

This  meeting  voted  to  employ  an  artist  to  lay  out  lots 
to  each  proprietor.  To  present  a  correct  plan  to  the 
town  of  Dedham.  A  committee  of  three  was  appointed 
to  give  instructions  to  the  artist,  to  designate  the  place 
for  a  town,  and  determine  where  the  meeting  house  should 
be  built.  To  locate  the  church  officers'  lot,  to  make  a 
fair  assignment  of  lots  to  the  proprietors. 

In  1672,  Samuel  Hinsdale,  on  behalf  of  Petumtuck,  pe- 
titions Dedham  to  appoint  suitable  persons  a  committee  to 
regulate  affairs  at  the  former  place.  The  next  year  he  re- 
newed his  petition,  and  urged  the  distresses  of  his  friends, 
by  means  of  their  remote  situation  from  other  settlements. 
Then  five  persons  are  immediately  authorised, 

1st,  To  admit  suitable  inhabitants  by  purchasing  lands 
or  otherwise. 

2d,  To  make  orders  about  herding  cattle,  and  keeping 
swine. 

3d,  To  regulate  fences. 

4th,  To  hire  an  orthodox  minister  with  the  concurrence 
of  the  elders  of  two  adjoining  churches,  and  for  that  pur- 
ose,  to  assess  t\vo  shillings  on  each  common  right  at  Pe- 
tumtuck. 

What  compensation  was  given  to  Dedham  for  their 
rights  in  the  lands  at  Petumbuck,  does  not  appear.  As 
that  town  was  owned  by  the  Dedham  proprietors,  in  such 
portions  and  shares  as  were  denoted  by  the  common 
rights  in  Dedham  proprietary,  the  purchase  was  made  of 
each  cotenant  by  each  cotenant  of  the  Petumtuck  lands. 
This  is  the  beginning  of  Deerfield,  which  is  much  cele- 
brated for  its  rich  meadows,  formed  by  the  junction  of 
Deerfield  river  with  the  Connecticut,  for  the  great  number 
of  cattle  which  are  annually  fatted  there,  exceeding  both 


CHAP,  ii.l  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  27 

in  number  and  size  that  of  any  other  town  in  New  Eng- 
land of"  equal  extent.  The  mountain  scenery  there  is  de- 
lightful. There  too  are  shown  the  battle  grounds,  where 
the  unfortunate  Petumtucks  contended  with  the  inhabi- 
tants for  their  inheritance,  after  they  had  sold  it  for  a  fair 
price. 

Indian  village  at  JVatlck. — ^The  reverend  John  Eliot,  the 
minister  of  Roxbury,  first  proposed  the  attempt  to  convert 
the  natives  of  this  country  to  civilization  and  Christianity. 
In  the  year  1646,  he  began  to  instruct  that  portion  of  the 
Massachusetts  tribe,  which  resided  at  that  time  at  a  place 
called  Nonantum,  within  the  present  town  of  Newton. — 
There  he  met  with  success  in  the  conversion  of  some  In- 
dians, and  among  others,  of  Waban,  a  wise  and  grave  man 
of  that  tribe.  Some  progress  was  there  made  in  building 
a  village,  but  in  a  few  years  it  was  abandoned.  Mr.  Eliot 
ever  maintained  the  opinion  that  the  Indians  could  not  be- 
come christians,  unless  they  were  first  civilized.  He 
therefore  proposed  that  the  Indians  of  Nonantum  should 
be  collected  into  a  village,  in  a  more  convenient  place 
than  their  present  one  ;  and  designated  a  place  on  Charles 
river,  then  within  the  limits  of  Dedham,  and  ten  miles 
west  of  the  village  in  this  town,  since  called  Natick,  an 
Indian  word  which  signifies  a  place  of  kills.  When  this 
measure  was  proposed  to  the  general  court,  Dedham  rea- 
dily consented  to  it,  and  sent  their  agents  there  to  express 
its  concurrence.  The  general  court  granted  2000  acres 
for  the  Indian  town  in  1651.  It  is  asserted  by  those  who 
described  that  town  afterwards,  that  it  contained  about 
GOOO  acres.  In  the  year  1659,  Dedham  appointed  nine 
persons  to  define  the  limits  of  the  Indian  town.  But  these 
men  of  the  woods,  who  had  wandered  over  an  indefinite 
extent  of  territory,  and  who  very  imperfectly  understood 
the  English  notion  of  land-marks,  were  not  all  at  once  to  be 
confined  to  one  place,  defined  only  by  imaginary  lines,  and 
marked  trees.  They  would  not  agree  on  bounds.  They 
would  not  meet  the  Dedham  committee.  When  bounda- 
ries were  at  last  fixed,  they  disregarded  them,  and  commit- 
ted trespasses  on  the  lands  belonging  to  Dedham,  and 
much  litigation  and  trouble  ensued  from  these  causes. 

The  Naticks,  so  the  tribe  was  afterwards  called,  soon 
built  a  little  town,  which  had  three   long  streets,  two  on 


28  HISTORY  OF  DEDHA:J.  [cfiAP.  II. 

the  north  of  Charles  river,  and  one  on  the  south  of  it. 
Each  family  had  a  house  lot.  Most  of  the  houses  were  built 
in  the  Indian  style,  the  principal  materials  of  which  were 
poles  set  in  the  ground  and  covered  with  pealed  bark. 
The  few  built  in  the  manner  of  English  houses,  were  less 
perfect  and  comfortable.  There  was  one  large  house,  the 
lower  room  of  which  answered  the  double  purpose  of  a 
school  room,  and  a  meeting  house.  In  the  second  story, 
the  Indians  deposited  their  skins  and  their  other  valuable 
things.  In  the  corner  of  the  second  story,  Mr.  Eliot  had 
a  little  room  partitioned  off,  in  which  he  Iiad  a  bed. 
These  Indians  were  supplied  with  spades,  hoes,  axes,  and 
all  other  tools  nec^essary  for  the  improvement  of  their  land. 
Mr.  Eliot  recommended  to  them  a  form  of  government, 
similar  to  a  model  in  E.xodus,  and  they  actually  chose 
rulers  of  tens,  of  fifties,  and  hundreds.  But  these  rulers 
were  to  be  approved  by  a  superior  authority.  To  aid  this 
imperfect  Indian  government,  an  English  magistrate  was 
appointed  to  hold  a  court  among  them.  This  magistrate 
in  fact  appointed  the  Indian  rulers.  That  is,  men  to  de- 
cide small  causes,  constables,  and  marshals;  and  had  the 
same  authority  as  a  court  of  common  pleas  in  all  judicial 
matters. 

The  general  court  from  time  to  time,  made  laws  for  the 
purpose  of  regulating  the  Indian  towns,  guarding  them 
against  various  evils,  and  protecting  their  rights.  Their 
great  and  devoted  patron,  Mr.  Eliot,  taught  that  portion  of 
the  tribe  who  Avould  hear  him,  the  doctrines  of  the  chris- 
tian religion,  by  addressing  them  in  their  own  language. 
He  translated  the  bible  into  their  own  language,  and  to 
prepare  them  for  better  understanding  the  lessons  taught, 
schools  were  established  for  their  children,  and  in  the 
summer  season,  once  every  fortnight,  he  was  present  to 
teach  some  of  his  Indian  disciples  the  art  of  rightly  em- 
ploying their  understandings,  by  which  means  several  per- 
sons of  this  tribe  were  prepared  to  become  teachers. 

As  an  almost  unconquerable  aversion  to  labor,  is  the  In- 
dian's great  sin,  the  English  magistrate  among  them  was 
commanded  to  encourage  industry  by  rewards  and  penal- 
ties. In  the  year  1670,  the  Indian  church  at  Natick  had 
two  teacliers,  John  and  Anthony,  and  from  forty  to  fifty 
communicants.  They  observed  the  sabbath.  Some  of 
them  could  read,  some  could  read  and  write,  and  rehearse 


CHAP.  11.]  HISTORY  OF  GEDHAM.  29 

the  catechism.  These  flattering  prospects  inspired  strong 
hopes  that  the  noble  efforts  made  for  their  conversion, 
would  be  successful,  but  this  account  thus  far,  is  that  of 
general  Gookins  and  Mr.  Eliot,  by  whose  great  exertions, 
these  favorable  effects  were  produced,  and  by  whose  zeal, 
they  were  perhaps  favorably  represented.*  The  reverend 
Stephen  Badger,  minister  of  Natick,  in  the  year  1797,  in 
a  letter  to  the  historical  society, f  writes  the  last  chapter 
of  the  history  of  this  tribe.  The  remnant  of  that  tribe  had 
been  under  his  parochial  care  ;  but  he  could  find  no  re- 
cords or  written  evidence  of  their  former  doings.  The  full 
bloods  of  that  tribe  did  not  then  exceed  twenty,  and  they 
were  dispersed.  1  he  causes  of  their  decay  were  numerous. 
The  attempt  to  force  them  into  civilization,  broke  down 
their  spirit.  Their  conscious  inferiority  in  all  their  at- 
tempts to  imitate  white  men,  degraded  them  in  their 
own  estimation.  Their  aversion  to  labor,  their  strong  pro- 
pensity to  a  wandering  life,  their  strong  thirst  for  ardent 
spirits,  their  natural  improvidence,  are  causes  which  have 
contributed  to  their  downfall.  In  the  beginning  of  the 
last  century,  the  tribe  was  in  a  civilized  state.  Some  of 
the  tribe  held  up  their  heads  and  thought  something  of 
themselves.  1  hey  had  civil  officers  of  their  own,  they  had 
a  training  company,  organized  in  the  English  manner, 
with  proper  officers,  who  had  their  proper  titles,  but  no 
commissions.  But  their  trainings  soon  degenerated  into 
drunken  frolics,  and  were  suppressed.  The  doctrines  of 
Christianity  never  made  a  deep  impression  on  their  minds, 
although  there  have  been  men  among  them  of  sober  and 
christian  lives.  Such  was  Waban.  Such  was  deacon 
Ephraim,  and  several  other  teachers. 

The  number  of  the  tribe  in  1749,  was       -      -       166 
"  "       "     "       "      "   1763,     "        -      -        37 

"  "       "     "        "      "   1797,     "         -      -         20 

"  "       "     "       "     "   1826,     "        -       extinct. 

This  is  the  result  of  the  most  perfect  experiment  per- 
haps, that  ever  has,  or  ever  will  be  made  to  civilize  the  na- 
tives of  this  country.  Who  has  ever  made  equal  exertions 
to  that  great  and  ardent  missionary,  the  reverend  John 
Eliot,  who  by  way  of  eminence,  is  called  the  apostle  to 

*  Historical  collections,  vol.  1st,  171.  vol.  10.  124. 
t  Historical  collections,  val.  5, 32. 


:>0  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  L'-hap.  ii. 

the  Indians.  Who  will  ever  possess  such  opportunities  to 
convert  the  Indians  ?  They  were  comfortablj'  settled  in 
a  village,  on  a  tract  of  good  land.  They  had  the  example 
of  the  white  men,  both  to  stimulate  their  exertions  by  the 
hopes  of  present  reward,  and  to  teach  them  the  ordin- 
ary arts  of  life.  Their  former  hunting  grounds  they  knew 
were  appropriated  to  different  uses  by  the  English.  Gen. 
Daniel  Gookins,  the  pious  and  upright  superintendent  of 
the  Indians,  was  ardently  devoted  to  their  interests,  and 
supported  INIr.  Eliot  in  his  efforts.  The  good  work  of  re- 
forming these  wild  men  of  the  woods,  was  encouraged  by 
the  almost  unanimous  opinion  of  the  community  in  their 
favor,  for  then  no  unsuccessful  experiment  had  damped 
the  spirit  of  christian  philanthropy.  The  true  character 
of  the  American  Indian  was  not  then  fully  understood. — 
Alas  !  if  we  overlook  all  their  vices,  or  attribute  them  to 
the  influence  of  a  peculiar  situation,  yet  by  one  single 
trait  in  their  character,  that  of  aversion  to  labor,  they  were 
doomed  to  sudden  decay  and  final  extirpation  from  the 
land  cultivated  by  civilized  man.  If  a  whole  tribe  merit 
a  monumental  stone,  I  recommend  that  it  be  placed  on  the 
Indian  burying  ground  at  the  foot  of  Pegan  hill,  and  its 
inscription  may  say,  "  Here  are  interred  the  JSf'aticJcs,  a  tribe 
of  native  Indians,  who  were  the  first  of  that  race  to  embrace 
Christianity.  Soon  after  their  conversion  at  JVonantum,  in 
1646,  they  were  collected  into  a  village  at  this  place,  by  their 
great  patron  and  missionary,  the  reverend  John  Eliot.  Here 
the  tribe  lived  and  gradually  declined,  and  became  finally  ex- 
tinct before  the  year  1826. 


CHAP.  111.1  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAJf.  ^t 


CHAPTER  III. 


.\aine  of  the  town.  Records.  Incorporation.  Town-covenant.  Town  leg-isla- 
ture  of  seven  men.  By-laws.  Wood  reeves.  The  example  of  a  society  formed 
out  of  its  simple  elements.  Measures  to  support  public  worship.  Jlethod  of 
supporting  ministers.     Parish  funds.     School  funds  and  Schools. 


JVame  of  the  town. — The  celebrated  John  Rogers,  of 
Dedham,  in  England,  had  been  forbidden  to  preach  before 
our  first  settlers  came  to  this  country.  Many  of  his  people 
emigrated  to  this  country  and  several  to  this  town.  John 
Dwight  and  his  son  Timothy  Dwight  and  John  Rogers  and 
John  Page  were  of  this  number.  From  this  circumstance 
we  may  suppose  the  general  court  gave  to  this  place  the 
name  of  Dedham.  The  inhabitants  requested  the  general 
court  to  give  it  the  name  of  Contentment,  which  name  is 
written  over  the  records  of  the  first  several  meetings.  It 
appears  to  me  that  the  word  well  expresses  the  leading  mo- 
lives  of  the  first  twenty-four  settlers  in  coming  into  this 
town.  They  were  soon  however  associated  with  men  of 
somewhat  a  different  and  higher  character. 

Records. — Very  few  towns  it  is  believed  have  an  unbro- 
ken series  of  records  from  the  first  commencement  of  their 
settlement,  at  an  early  period,  to  the  present  time.  That 
Dedham  has  such  a  set  of  records  must  be  attributed  to 
the  excellent  example  set  by  the  principal  townsmen  of  the 
first  half  century,  they  first  wrote  a  clear  account  of  all  the 
public  acts  ;  and  then  carefully  preserved  the  most  mate- 
rial of  them,  by  duplicate  copies.  The  second  generation 
had,  it  is  true,  hardly  sufficient  education,  even  with  the 
help  of  such  good  precedents,  either  to  transact  the  public 
business  or  to  make  a  proper  record  thereof.  The  records 
begin,  September  1st,  1635,  and  state  every  transaction  so 
fully  that  I  have  been  able  to  collect  this  history  there- 
from. To  major  Lusher  belongs  by  far  the  greatest  share 
of  this  praise.  Some  of  our  by-laws,  for  instance,  those 
relating  to  wild  horses  in  the  woods  are  in  the  same  lan- 
guage of  those  in  the  colony  statute  book  relating  to  the 
)Siame  subject,  although  previously  made. 


32  IIIS'J'ORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chaf.  hi. 

September,  1036,  nineteen  persons  presented  a  peti- 
tion to  the  general  court,  wherein  tliey  request  a  ratifica- 
tion of  the  former  grant  to  them,  and  a  further  grant  of  all 
lands  above  the  falls  in  Charles  river  and  north  of  it,  not  be- 
fore granted  and  five  miles  square  on  the  south  side  of 
Charles  river,  and  that  they  may  be  exempted  from  country 
charges  four  years,  and  have  other  encouragement  in  their 
non-age.  The  request  was  granted  with  three  years  ex- 
emption from  public  charges. 

Town  Covenant. — It  was  many  years  before  the  govern- 
ment of  the  colony  could  make  a  sufficient  number  of 
general  laws  to  regulate  the  plantations.  Each  town  it 
must  be  presumed  before  the  enactment  of  a  general  law, 
to  regulate  their  own  affairs,  made  laws  for  themselves. 
How  Dedham  supplied  this  deficiency  we  shall  see  in  the 
account  of  its  town  covenant,  and  by-laws.  It  did  in  fact 
legislate  for  itself  in  a  great  variety  of  matters.  The  town 
covenant,  (we  should  call  it  in  our  times,  a  constitution,) 
laid  the  foundation  for  making  legitimate  by-laws.  The  pre- 
amble to  this  instrument  begins  thus  : — "  We  whose  names 
are  hereunto  subscribed,  do  in  the  fear  and  reverence  of 
our  Almighty  God  mutually  and  severally  promise  amongst 
ourselves,  and  each  to  other,  to  profess  and  practice  one 
faith  according  to  that  most  perfect  rule,  the  foundation 
whereof  is  everlasting  love. 

"  Secondly,  we  engage  by  all  means,  to  keep  off  from  our 
company  such  as  shall  be  contrary  minded,  and  receive 
only  such  into  our  society  as  will  in  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit,  promote  its  temporal  and  spiritual  good. 

"Thirdly,  that  if  any  differences  arise,  the  parties  shall 
presently  refer  all  such  difference  unto  one,  two  or  three 
of  the  society,  to  be  fully  accorded  by  them. 

"  Fourthly,  that  every  man  who  shall  have  lots  in  the 
town  shall  pay  all  such  sums  for  the  public  charges,  as 
shall  be  imposed  on  him  rateably,  and  shall  obey  all  such 
by-laws  and  constitutions  as  the  inhabitants  shall  judge 
necessary  for  the  management  of  their  temporal  affairs, 
for  religion,  and  for  loving  society. 

"  Fifthly,  for  the  better  manifestation  of  their  intentions 
herein,  they  subscribe  their  names,  and  bind  themselves, 
and  their  successors  forever  to  the  true  observance  of  this 
covenant." 


t«AP.  111.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  33 

There  is  no  date  to  this  instrument,  but  it  was  executed 
before  the  second  act  of  incorporation,  for  the  petitioners 
for  that  act,  state  that  they  were  at  present  under  cove- 
nant. One  hundred  and  twenty-six  persons  signed  this  in- 
strument. 

Town  government  composed  of ' seven  men. — The  inliabi- 
tants  having  thus  acquired  the  right  in  their  aggregate  ca- 
pacity to  make  laws,  for  three  years  exercised  it.  But  as 
the  alfairs  of  the  plantation  required  monthly  town  meet- 
ings, this  diverted  them  from  their  necessary  l3usiness  ;  and 
in  iGo9,  they  delegated  all  their  power,  to  seven  men  to 
be  annually  chosen.  The  power  of  these  seven  men,  was 
as  extensive  in  every  respect,  as  that  of  the  whole  town, 
in  legal  meeting  assembled,  excepting  in  after  times  they 
were  prohibited  from  making  free  grants,  admitting  towns- 
men, and  making  dividends  of  the  lands.  These  seven  men 
kept  records  of  their  doings,  and  inserted  them  in  the 
town  records,  and  they  are  recorded  promiscuously  among 
the  doings  of  all  the  proprietors.  The  seven  men  met 
monthly  for  many  years,  made  many  necessary  by-laws 
for  the  establishment  of  highways  and  fences,  for  the  keep- 
ing of  cattle,  and  swine,  and  horses  ;  for  keeping  proper 
register  of  land  titles,  and  of  births  and  marriages  ;  for  the 
support  of  schools  and  religion  ;  for  additional  bounties 
for  killing  wolves  and  wild  cats  ;  for  the  extinguish- 
ment of  Indian  claims.  As  the  by-laws  of  the  society 
best  show  its  situation,  a  few  are  here  inserted. 

By-Laws. — A  committee  shall  be  appointed  to  examine 
the  characters  of  new  comers,  and  make  report  of  their 
inquiries  to  the  town.  All  persons  coming  into  the  town, 
shall  declare  their  name,  and  explain  their  motives.  August, 
1636. 

No  person  in  covenant,  shall  bring  his  servant  with  him 
and  thereby  entitle  the  servant  to  lots  of  land — but  the 
.servant  shall  bring  testimony  of  a  good  character  before 
he  is  permitted  to  reside  here.     August,  1636. 

All  the  waters  in  town  are  declared  free  to  all  for  fish- 
ing. 

The  first  settlers,  if  married  men,  shall  have  home  lot:-i 
of  12  acres,  and  unmarried  men  8  acres.     1636. 

No  man  having  lots  in  town  sliall  sell   them  without 
leave  of  the  company.     1636. 
5 


34  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  hi. 

Absence  from  town  meeting  shall  be  punished  by  fine, 
one  shilling  for  the  first  half  hour,  and  three  shillings  for 
the  whole  meeting.     1637. 

A  long  act  is  made  for  the  establishment  of  highways. 
1637. 

Every  house  holder  shall  provide  a  ladder  for  his  house, 
under  a  penalty  of  five  shillings.     1639. 

The  officers  called  wood  reeves  shall  be  chosen  annually, 
who  shall  have  power  to  order  the  burning  the  herd  walks, 
and  give  orders  concerning  the  same.  To  give  orders  for 
cutting  wood  and  timber  on  the  common  lands.  To  cause 
the  by-laws  respecting  ladders  to  be  observed.  To  col- 
lect the  penalties  for  trespasses  on  the  common  lands. 
To  view  fences,  and  cause  them  to  be  made  and  repaired. 

A  lengthy  statute  provides  for  the  discovery  of  mines, 
within  the  limits  of  the  town.  One  of  its  provisions  re- 
quire the  finder  of  a  mine  to  make  a  report  thereof  as 
soon  as  may  be  to  the  selectmen.  Two  reports  were 
made,  one  of  a  copper  mine  at  Wrentham,  and  another  of 
a  bright  and  shining  metal,  somewhere  near  a  brook  in 
Natick.  There  was  then  a  considerable  extent  of  unex- 
plored territory.  It  was  natural  where  every  thing  was 
new,  that  some  heads  should  be  turned  on  mining  projects. 
Who  these  men  were,  I  do  not  know. 

Here  in  the  woods  at  Dedham,  a  number  of  strangers  met, 
they  had  come  from  various  places  in  England,  and  had 
probably  acquired  some  slight  knowledge  of  each  others 
intentions,  when  they  first  set  out  from  Watertown,  to  come 
into  this  place.  There  were  then  no  general  laws  in  the 
colony  to  regulate  their  various  interests,  or  their  common 
enterprizes.  It  was  after  the  first  coming  of  the  first  in- 
habitants to  this  place,  that  the  general  court  delegated 
powers  to  the  selectmen,  to  execute  according  to  their 
best  discretion,  what  was  afterwards  regulated  by  general 
statutes.  They  had  the  common  intent  of  dwelling  in  the 
town.  They  formed  a  civil  society,  out  of  its  first  simple 
elements.  They  actually  did  what  theorists  have  con- 
jectured might  be  done  in  such  a  case  ;  but  of  which 
they  could  never  exhibit  a  well  authenticated  instance. 
The  colony  government  originated  in  a  grant  from  the 
king.  It  was  the  offspring  of  royalty.  It  was  a  gift. 
The  Dedham  society  originated  in  a  compact,  the  laws 
derived  their  force  from  the  consent  of  the  people.     It 


CHAP,  ni]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  35 

was  the  beginning  of  the  American  system  of  government. 
It  is  the  first  rude  specimen  of  a  constitution,  which  1  have 
seen,  although  something  similar  in  substance  must  have 
taken  place  in  all  the  early  plantations. 

Measures  to  support  puhlic  worship. — The  first  settlers 
not  only  procured  a  religious  teacher,  and  built  a  meeting 
house,  and  performed  every  other  act  necessary  for  the 
immediate  establishment  of  public  worship  among  them  ; 
but  as  they  might  well  fear  that  a  more  corrupt  age  would 
not  be  willing  to  make  the  necessary  exertions  for  that 
purpose,  they  therefore  laid  the  foundation  for  ministerial 
funds.  When  so  much  other  work  was  to  be  done, 
they  built  a  meeting  house  in  1637.  The  pitts,  (so 
the  pews  are  called  in  the  records)  were  five  feet  deep,  and 
four  and  a  half  feet  wide.  The  elders  seat,  and  the  deacons 
seat,  were  before  the  pulpit ;  the  communion  table  stood 
before  these  seats,  and  was  so  placed  that  the  communi- 
cants could  approach  it  in  all  directions.  This  house  was 
pulled  down  in  1672  ;  and  one  much  larger  erected  on  the 
scite  of  the  old  one.  This  house  had  three  pair  of  stairs,  in 
three  corners  of  the  meeting  house.  Men  were  seated  in 
the  galleries  on  one  side,  and  women  on  the  other,  the 
boys  in  the  front  gallery.  The  duty  of  a  tythingman  in 
those  days,  was  arduous,  and  he  received  as  much  pay  for 
his  services,  many  years,  as  the  deputy  to  the  general 
court.  He  was  obliged  to  go  on  errands  for  the  elders, 
whip  the  dogs  out  of  the  meeting  house,  and  prevent  dis- 
order among  the  boys,  who  I  find  whenever  they  sit  to- 
gether have  a  strong  propensity,  like  the  Pretorian  bands, 
to  mutiny  and  insubordination.  The  business  of  seating 
persons  in  these  two  houses,  came  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  elders.  The  greatest  tax  payer  had  the  best  seat. 
This  was  a  subject  of  some  difficulty. 

Method  of  supporting  ministers. — During  Mr.  Allin's  min- 
istry of  thirty-two  years,  the  records  do  not  show  any  rate 
assessed  for  his  support.  He  depended  on  voluntary  con- 
tributions, and  on  the  liberal  free  grants  from  the  proprie- 
tors. At  his  death  he  was  the  greatest  landholder,  (Dea- 
con Chickering  excepted)  of  any  in  town.  All  the  succes- 
sors of  Mr.  Allin,  had  salaries  voted  them  by  the  town, 
although  the  salary  was  paid  voluntarily  by  the  people 
without  a  tax  many  years. 


'o6  HISTORY  or  DEDHAM.  [chap.  iit. 

Funds. — When  the  Dedhani  proprietary  was  divided  in- 
to five  hundred  and  twenty-two  shares,  called  cow  common 
rights,  the  proprietors  devoted  eight  of  these  shares,  to 
the  support  of  a  teaching  church  officer.  The  shares  drew 
dividends  whenever  they  were  made  of  the  common  lands, 
and  remained  unsold  until  after  the  revolution.  Since 
that  time,  some  of  these  lands  have  been  sold,  and  the 
])roceeds  suffered  to  accumulate  until  the  amount  will  af- 
iord  a  good  living  for  one  clergymen.  These  funds  now 
belong  to  the  first  parish  in  Dedham. 

School  flinch  and  Schools. — In  1644,   the  inhabitants  de- 
clare their  intention  to  devote  some  portion  of  their  lands 
to  the  support  of  schools,  and  did  then  grant  lands  to  trus- 
tees for  the  purpose  of  raising  a   fund,   of  the  annual  in- 
come  of  twenty   pounds  to  support   schools,  which  sum 
they  determined  should  be  the  salary  of  the  school  master. 
Before  the  lands  granted  could  be   productive,  the   town 
raised  by  various  ways,  the  sum  of  twenty  pounds  to  hire 
a  schoolmaster.     This  regarding  the  number  and  situation 
of  the  inhabitants  is  by  far  the  greatest  effort  that  has  been 
made  by  any  of  their  successors.    In  1680,  captain  Daniel 
Fisher,  and  ensign  Fuller,  report  that  Dr.  William  Avery, 
now  of  Boston,  but  formerly  of  the  Dedham  church,   out 
of  his  entire  love  to  this  church  and  town,  freely  gives  in- 
to their  hands,  sixty  pounds /or  a  latin  school,  to  be  order- 
ed by  the   selectmen  and  elders.     This  fund  was  many 
years  in  the  hands  of  trustees,  but  it  was  either  wrongly 
appropriated,  or  discredited  by  the  operations  of  bills  of 
credit,   and  there  is  scarcely  a  man  who  knows  that  such 
a  donation  was  ever  made.     In   1695,  the  owners  of  the 
Dedham  proprietary  granted  to  trustees  300  acres  of  their 
best  lands  at  Needham,  to  support  schools,  to  be  called 
the  school  farm.     This  farm  was  afterwards  sold  by  order 
of  the  town  to  defray  its  ordinary  expenses,  and  a  vote 
made  to  indemnify  the  agents  for  so  doing.     In  thirty  years 
from  this  sale,  the  town  instructed  a  committee  to  recover 
the  school  farm,  and  voted  a  larger  sum  to  support  a  law- 
suit for  the  recovery  of  it,  than  the  compensation  received 
for  it.     This  was  not  done  until  a  second  and  third  gen- 
eration, badly  educated,  and  unmindful  of  the  great  duty 
of  instructing  themselves  had  appeared.     The  first  school 
house  was  built  in  1648.     The  masters  salary,  until  1695, 
was  twenty  pounds  ;  it  was  then  raised   to  twenty-five 
pounds. 


CHAP.  IV. 1  inSTOflY  OF  DEDHAM.  37 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Building  mills.  Corn  mills.  Water  mills.  Saw  mill.  Introduction  of  trades- 
Modes  of  cultivating  the  land.  First  articles  carried  to  Boston  market.  Stock 
of  cattle.     Horses.     Swine.     Sheep.     Wolves.     Wildcats. 


Governor  Winthrop  foresaw  that  when  a  small  compa- 
ny of  men  went  into  the  wilderness  to  begin  a  plantation,  it 
would  be  many  years  before  they  could  erect  a  water  mill. 
He  therefore  gave  orders  for  bringing  into  the  colony, 
those  small  corn  mills  which  had  stones  from  two  to  three 
feet  diameter,  and  were  turned  by  hand,  and  which  might 
be  easily  transported.  The  stones  of  two  of  these  corn 
mills  are  still  remaining  in  town.  A  corn  mill  seems  to  have 
been  the  appropriate  name  for  this  little  hand  grist  mill, 
to  distinguish  it  from  the  larger  grist  mill,  driven  by  water, 
which  was  called  a  water  mill. 

First  water  mill. — The  origin  of  Mother  Brook  has  alrea- 
dy been  described.  The  chief  design  of  cutting  that  ca- 
nal, was  to  create  a  suitable  dam  for  a  water  mill,  for  at 
the  same  meeting,  March  28,  1639,  the  town  granted 
liberty  to  any  one  who  would  undertake  it,  to  build  a  water 
mill  on  that  stream,  with  a  lot  of  land  around  it.  Who 
availed  themselves  of  this  grant,  does  not  directly  appear. 
In  1641,  a  foot  path  is  laid  out  to  the  mill.  Soon  after 
the  foot  path  was  made,  John  Dwight  and  the  reverend 
John  Allin,  conveyed  the  mill  to  Nathaniel  Whiting.  He 
and  his  heirs  have  possessed  that  mill  privilege  until  Ben- 
jamin Bussey,  Esq.  purchased  it  within  a  few  years. 

In  1664,  the  town  granted  a  license  to  Ezra  Morse,  to 
erect  a  new  corn  mill  on  Mother  Brook,  above  the  old  one, 
on  or  near  the  factory  built  by  the  Norfolk  cotton  factory. 
The  mill  was  erected,  but  it  interfered  with  the  rights  of 
Whiting,  and  a  dispute  arose  which  resulted  in  the  abate- 
ment of  the  new  dam.  So  early  did  litigation  about  mill 
privileges  commence.  Within  a  few  years  the  conflicting- 
claims  appurtenant  to  this  mill  seat,  have  been  settled  by 
a  lawsuit.     The   town  has  at  different  times   appointed 


38  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  iv. 

committees  to  lower  the  water  in  Charles  river.  I  quote 
a  passage  from  the  records  relating  to  this  subject,  to  show 
what  our  provident  forefathers  have  done  for  their  poste- 
rity. In  October,  16S6.  "Inasmuch  as  damage  did  come 
to  the  town  by  water  lying  long  on  the  meadows,  we  saw 
reason  to  lower  Charles  river,  but  in  this  extreme  drought, 
the  town  and  the  millers  suffering  so  much,  we  see  reason 
to  allow  that  we  may  have  a  supply  of  meal,  that  the  river 
about  forty  rods  below  the  mill  channel's  mouth,  be  raised 
to  its  former  height." 

A  saw  mill  was  built  by  Joshua  Fisher,  on  Neponset  ri- 
ver, in  the  year  1664.  The  town  granted  him  ample  pre- 
vileges  to  encourage  that  enterprise.  It  was  quite  on  the 
southern  boundary  of  the  present  town.  The  town  stipu- 
lated with  him  for  the  price  of  sawing  timber.  When 
Ezra  Morse  was  driven  from  Mother  Brook,  the  town 
granted  him  a  mill  privilege  at  the  saw  mill,  with  much 
land  about  it.  His  thriving  posterity  now  possess  that  in- 
heritance. 

In  1681,  a  fulling  mill  was  built  on  Mother  Brook,  by 
Draper  and  Fairbanks. 

Introduction  of  Mechanics. — The  society  which  has  not  a 
joiner,  a  carpenter,  a  blacksmith,  or  a  shoemaker,  must 
necessarily  be  very  deficient  in  articles  of  the  first  neces- 
sity. It  was  however  several  years  before  any  of  these 
kind  of  artificers  came  into  the  town.  The  number  of 
carpenters,  joiners  and  masons  in  the  colony  were  so  small, 
compared  to  the  demand  for  their  services,  that  they  de- 
manded enormous  wages,  and  were  principally  employed 
in  Boston  and  near  it.  It  is  an  obvious  fact  therefore, 
that  the  first  houses  in  Dedham  were  chiefly  built  without 
them.  We  may  easily  perceive  in  the  peculiar  situation 
of  the  town,  in  its  infancy,  the  reason  why  every  sort  of 
mechanical  business  would  be  little  successful.  At  Bos- 
ton was  the  only  market  for  the  few  productions  of  the 
land,  and  there  would  the  inhabitants  of  course  buy  to  the 
best  advantage,  the  articles  most  necessary.  This  cause 
continued  to  operate  until  there  was  a  considerable  amount 
of  circulating  medium.  Thence  Dedham  remained  for  a 
hundred  and  fifty  years,  a  mere  agricultural  people,  hav- 
ing extremely  few  inhabitants  of  other  pursuits. 


CHAP.  IV.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  39 

Methods  of  cultivating  the  land. — Excepting  the  home  lots, 
all  the  lands  cultivated,  were  inclosed  in  common  fields. 
The  common  plough  field,  of  two  hundred  acres,  on  the 
village  plain,  was  surrounded  by  a  fence  made  at  common 
charge.  The  wood  reeves  decided  the  number  of  rods 
of  fence  to  be  made  by  each  owner.  This  field  was  every 
year  to  be  cleared  by  the  12th  of  October,  that  the  cattle 
might  be  turned  into  it.  There  was  for  many  years  a 
great  deficiency  of  English  grass,  which  circumstance,  in 
some  seasons,  produced  great  distress,  by  means  of  water 
on  the  meadows,  as  in  1649.  Wheat  continued  to  be  rais- 
ed until  the  year  1 700,  but  I  suppose  it  was  only  on  newly 
cleared  land.  Until  this  time,  the  people  voted  by  wheat 
ana  beans  on  the  question  of  admitting  townsmen — wheat 
denoting  the  affirmative,  and  beans  the  negative.  Wheat 
before  that  time  was  a  legal  tender  in  the  payment  of  some 
part  of  the  taxes,  and  of  most  of  the  contracts. 

The  practice  of  burning  the  cow  commons  continued 
many  years.  This  must  have  rendered  those  lands  barren 
in  a  short  time,  provided  these  annual  fires  had  much  burn- 
ed the  soil. 

I  mention  the  articles  carried  into  the  Boston  market,  in 
the  order  in  which  they  seem  first  to  have  been  the  subject 
of  trade.  Pealed  oak  bark,  hoop  poles,  oak  and  pine  tim- 
ber for  building,  oak  staves,  ship  timber,  charcoal,  wood, 
and  then  vegetables,  and  carried  in  panniers.  It  must 
have  been  many  years  before  wood  for  fuel  was  carried 
to  Boston.  The  bad  and  circuitous  roads  did  not  admit 
much  of  that  article  into  the  market  from  this  town,  un- 
til 1780. 

Herds  of  cattle. — In  the  summer,  the  working  oxen  and 
cows  fed  on  the  commons  near  home.  The  young  cattle, 
either  fed  in  the  woods,  or  on  Neponset  meadows,  in  Mr. 
Stoughton's  pasture.  The  horses  likewise  run  in  a  kind  of 
wild  state  in  the  woods,  and  were  extremely  mischievous, 
although  fettered,  they  frequently  broke  into  the  corn- 
fields, and  other  enclosures,  as  our  by-laws  state.  The 
horse  of  those  days,  was  no  doubt  a  small  and  inferior  ani- 
mal compared  to  the  grain  fed  and  improved  breed  of 
the  present  time.  He  felt,  in  common  with  the  inhabi- 
tants, the  want  of  a  more  perfect  cultivation  of  the  coun- 
try ;  he  had  not  even  a  pasture — he  was  doomed  to  live  in 


40  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap,  iv, 

tlie  woods,  and  wear  fetters,  and  submit  to  a  degrading 
slavery,  without  its  usual  benefits.  Swine,  with  great  yokes 
on  their  necks,  likewise  ran  wild  in  the  woods,  and  lived 
on  acorns  and  roots.  When  hogs  are  kept  in  the  woods, 
they  soon  become  wild,  and  are  active  animals,  very  dif- 
ferent from  that  lazy  stupid  creature  in  our  sties.  Hub- 
bard, the  historian,  says  that  "In  November,  1677,  a  great 
black  boar  came  into  the  town  of  Dedham,  no  body  knows 
from  whence,  eight  feet  in  length.  He  was  shot  thirteen 
times  before  he  could  be  killed.  Almost  the  whole  town 
was  mustered  together  before  he  could  be  mastered." 

Sheep  were  not  introduced  into  the  town  before  the  year 
1667.  They  required  more  care  than  any  other  stock. 
They  were  at  first  kept  in  a  town  flock,  as  it  was  calfed, 
under  the  care  of  a  shepherd.  The  wild  beasts  and  nu- 
merous hungry  dogs,  rendered  it  necessary  to  guard  them 
carefully.  When  the  sheep  were  put  into  the  common, 
it  seems  that  additional  bounties  for  killing  wolves  became 
necessary.  These  troublesome  enemies  of  a  new  settle- 
ment, continued  to  annoy  the  inhabitants  so  late  as  1698. 
Soon  after  its  first  settlement,  a  bounty  of  ten  shillings 
was  otfered  by  the  town,  for  every  wolf  killed,  and  this 
bounty  was  received  almost  every  year,  for  one  to  five 
wolves.  In  1698,  the  bounty  was  increased  to  ten  shil- 
lings more  for  each  wolf,  and  an  unusual  number  was  then 
destroyed,  by  which  means  the  whole  race  in  this  wilder- 
ness was  annihilated.  In  1734,  a  bounty  of  twenty  shil- 
lings was  offered  for  each  wild  cat;  fifteen  were  soon  de- 
stroyed, and  I  hear  of  no  complaints  before  or  after  that 
period,  of  wild  cats.  So  long  as  these  wild  beasts  lived  on 
the  borders  of  the  wilderness,  so  long  would  many  timid 
persons  indulge  a  fear,  perhaps  a  groundless  one,  that  their 
children  or  their  friends  might  be  destroyed  by  them.  Such 
apprehensions  they  have  expressed,  by  pointing  out  the 
most  dangerous  haunts,  by  the  names  they  have  given  to 
places,  as  woIf^s  den,  wolfs  pit,  wild  cat  swamp.  The  famous 
hunters  in  those  days,  Sargent  Ellis  and  deacon  Ephraim 
Wilson,  merited  and  no  doubt  enjoyed  the  reputation  of 
being  real  patriots. 

*  Hubbard's  History,  649. 


CHAP,  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM,  41 


CHAPTER   V. 


First  company,  twenty-four.  Second  company,  twelve.  Increase  iu  fiiiy  years 
Compendium  of  the  doings  and  improvements  of  fifty  years.  Indian  war. 
Character  of  the  first  generation.  Principal  men,  Edward  Allyne,  John  Allin, 
Eleazer  Lusher,  Daniel  Fisher,  Timothy  Dwight.     Retlections. 


The  first  comers  to  the  Massachusetts  colony  dining  the 
first  five  or  six  years,  crowded  into  Boston  and  a  few  ad- 
joining towns,  particularly  into  lloxbury  and  VVatertown. 
In  VVinthrop's  journal,  under  date  of  April,  1635,  it  is  as- 
serted "  Those  of  Watertown  and  Roxbury  had  leave  to 
remove  whether  they  pleased  in  this  jurisdiction.  The  oc- 
casion of  their  desire  to  remove  was,  all  the  towns  in  the 
bay  began  to  be  much  straitened  by  their  own  nearness 
to  one  another,  and  their  cattle  being  much  increased."* 
Then  began  the  inhabitants  to  form  new  companies  to  set- 
tle other  places.     Several  went  out  of  the  Watertown  hive. 

From  that  place  also,  came  nearly  all  the  first  twenty- 
four  persons  who  settled  in  this  town.  This  company  of 
men  seem  from  their  subsequent  conduct,  to  have  been  a 
portion  of  that  mixed  population  collected  at  Watertown, 
who  possessed  good  sense  and  moderate  principles,  and 
were  desirous  of  forming  a  peaceable  civil  society.  They 
were  puritans,  but  by  no  means  of  high  proof.  This  com- 
pany did  in  substance  at  least  say  to  their  fellow  towns- 
men, whom  they  were  about  to  leave,  "  Let  there  be  no 
strife  between  us  and  thee,  and  between  thy  herdsmen  and 
our  herdsmen,  for  we  be  brethren,  if  you  go  to  the  right 
we  will  go  to  the  left,  for  is  not  the  whole  country  before 
us .?" 

Under  date  of  September  1,  1635,  in  Winlhrop's  journal, 
it  is  stated,  that  a  town  is  begun  above  the  falls  in  Charley 
river.  No  other  place  than  Dedham  could  have  been  in- 
tended. That  was  the  time  when  the  first  town  meeting, 
was  held.  There  were  that  day  twelve  persons  assembled. 
The  next  year,  November,  1636,  their  numbers  had  in- 
i-reased  to  nineteen  ;  they  had  then  formed  the  town  voxc- 

■"  1  Wi)iihrop,  1(30. 


42 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap,  t. 


nant,  and  petitioned  the  general  court  for  an  enlargement 
oi"  their  former  grant  for  a  township.  The  name  of  the 
petitioners  are  Edward  Allyne,  Abraham  Shaw,  Samuel 
Morse,  Philemon  Dalton,  Ezekiel  Holliman,  John  Kings- 
bury, John  Dvvite,  John  Cooledge,  Richard  Ewed,  John 
Howard,  Lambert  Genere,  Nicholas  Phillips,  Ralph  Shep- 
ard,  John  Gay,  Thomas  Bartleet,  Francis  Austin,  John 
Rogers,  Joseph  Shaw,  a.nd  Wilkin  Bearstowe.  Others 
very  soon  came  from  Watertown  and  settled  here. 

July,  1 637.  Came  to  Dedham  John  Allin,  Eleazer  Lush- 
er, and  ten  otlier  persons,  bringing  recommendations,  and 
were  at  the  same  time  admitted  townsmen.  These  twelve 
persons  gave  a  more  decided  character  to  the  whole  com- 
pany. The  eight  persons  who  formed  the  Dedham  church, 
and  who  by  way  of  distinction,  were  called  the  founders 
of  it,  came  in  this  company,  (Edward  Allyne  excepted.) 
Ezekiel  Holliman,  before  named,  obtained  leave  of  the 
town  at  the  same  meeting,  to  sell  his  lots  in  town,  and  I 
do  not  again  see  his  name  on  the  records.  This  circum- 
stance confirms  the  opinion,  that  this  is  the  same  person 
who  afterwards  was  a  baptist  minister  at  Providence,  and 
attached  to  Roger  Williams.  He  had  been  tried  for  here- 
sy before  this  time,  but  he  might  reasonably  have  calcula- 
ted to  live  in  peace  with  the  first  company  in  this  town- 
but  the  second  he  might  anticipate  would  not  be  so  indul- 
gent to  his  heretical  opinions. 

In  1G42,  the  number  of  persons  taxed,  was     -     -     61 
'^'  1666,    "        "         "       "  "  "       -     -     95 

u   1670,    "        "         "       "  "  "      -     -     05 

The  war  with  king  Philip,  induced  some  to  goto  Boston. 
In  1686,  the  number  had  increased  to  -  -  -  124 
These  I  believe  were  all  Englishmen,  excepting  one 
man,  who  when  he  was  admitted  a  townsman,  was  called 
Smith,  the  Irishman.  They  came  at  different  times,  from 
different  parts  of  England,  and  were  with  a  few  exceptions, 
husbandmen. 

Henry  Phillips  came  to  Dedham  from  Watertown,  and 
was  solicited  to  become  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  he 
chose  however  to  be  a  candidate  in  another  place,  but 
some  events  prevented  his  settlement  in  any  town,  and  he 
became,  as  our  church  records  say,  a  discouraged  and 
broken  hearted  christian.  Mather  inserts  his  name  among 
the  ministers,  and  as  a   resident  of  Dedham.     I   find   no 


CHAP,  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  43 

man  by  the  name  of  Phillips,  who  could  be  alluded  to, 
excepting  the  Mr.  Phillips  above  mentioned,  and  who 
had  a  dispute  with  the  inhabitants  about  the  cow  com- 
mons. Thomas  Carter  was  sometime  a  member  ofthe  Ded- 
ham  church,  who  was  afterwards  minister  of  Woburn.  Mi- 
chael Powel  kept  the  ordinary  in  Dedham  and  had  several 
lots  of  land  ;  one  of  the  little  patches  of  upland  in  Charles 
meadow  was  called  Powel's  island.  He  was  a  candidate 
afterwards  for  the  ministry  in  the  second  church  in  Boston.* 
What  these  men  did  during  the  first  fifty  years,  has  been 
partly  related  ;  u'hat  other  things  they  did  and  suffered, 
must  be  stated  in  a  few  words.  During  that  time  they 
made  many  miles  of  new  roads,  among  the  great  roots  and 
fast  rocks  in  the  woods  ;  made  two  bridges  over  Charles 
river,  and  several  other  bridges;  cut  a  canal  for  the  chan- 
nel of  Mother  Brook,  cleared  ofi'  the  wood  probably  of 
2000  acres,  and  brought  a  part  of  it  under  cultivation  ; 
erected  mills,  built  two  meeting  houses,  and  two  school 
houses,  laid  a  noble  foundation  for  ministerial  and  school 
funds,  and  made  greater  exertions  than  any  of  their  succes- 
sors to  support  school  masters  and  ministers.  They  made 
expensive  treaties  with  the  native  chiefs  for  the  extinguish- 
ment of  their  titles  ;  caused  new  settlements  to  be  begun 
in  three  new  towns  ;  and  what  is  of  more  merit  than  rll 
perhaps,  established  here  a  peaceable  christian  communi- 
ty, exempt  from  the  disputes  of  other  places  ;  harmoni- 
ous in  all  their  enterprises,  and  gradually  rising  on  a  stable 
foundation.  This  is  a  bright  page,  and  it  is  a  faithful  one. 
The  comparative  amount  of  the  things  done,  is  trifling — 
they  are  principally  worthy  of  notice  only  as  they  furnish 
a  good  illustration  of  character. 

Indian  war. — In  September,  1G73,  the  selectmen  receiv- 
ed orders  from  the  general  court  to  put  the  town  in  a  pos- 
ture of  war.  Then  immediately  the  soldiers  are  called 
out,  and  have  frequent  trainings.  A  barrel  of  powder  and 
other  ammunition  is  procured,  the  great  gun  is  put  on 
wheels.  The  new  meeting  house  is  made  a  depository  of 
these  warlike  stores.  The  people  build  a  garrison,  and 
set  a  watch.  The  fear  excited  was  great,  for  many  on  that 
account  fled  to  Boston.     Mr.  Adams  mentions  this  circum- 

*Winthrop,  vol.  2.  p.  323,  in  note* 


44  .   HJSTORi  OF  DEDHA3f.  (ckxt.  t. 

Stance,  as  a  reason  for  relinquishing  a  part  of  his  salary  at 
that  time.  Dedham'^as  well  situated  for  defence.  The 
town  had  been  built  in  a  compact  manner,  that  it  might 
be  prepared  for  Indian  hostilities.  Little  river  and  Charles 
river  on  the  north,  would  make  the  savages  unwilling  to 
approach  in  that  direction.  The  plain  all  around  Ded- 
ham,  was  to  a  considerable  extent  cleared  and  level,  and 
overlooked  by  a  person  in  the  belfrey  of  the  new  meeting 
house.  To  this  circumstance  it  may  probably  be  owing, 
that  none  of  the  parties  of  Philip  made  an  assault  on  the 
town.  It  was  no  doubt  reconnoitercd  by  his  spies,  and 
had  it  been  unprepared,  might  have  shared  the  fate  of 
JMed field  and  other  places.  The  Indians  in  town  were 
ordered  to  depart,  and  go  either  to  Natick,  or  Neponset, 
or  Vv^amoset.  An  enormous  war  tax  was  imposed  on  the 
inhabitants,  which  exceeded  one  shilling  for  every  pound- 
of  valuation  of  estate. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1676,  the  troops  of  the  colonists 
became  very  enterprising  in  pursuing  and  destroying  the 
small  parties  of  Indians  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 
Philip  himself,  the  generalissimo  of  all  the  Indian  forces, 
was  soon  discovered  and  slain  at  Mount  Hope.  Captain 
Church,  with  a  company  of  men,  visited  the  Narraganset 
country,  the  seat  of  that  tribe,  then  under  the  great  sa- 
chem, Pomham.  But  this  chief,  either  having  notice  of 
captain  Church's  designs,  or  justly  fearing  an  attack  from 
other  colonists,  fled  into  the  wilderness.  The  next  infor- 
mation we  have  of  Pomham  is,  that  he  and  his  party  are  in 
the  woods  near  Dedham.  Cotton  Mather  gives  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  him.  July  25,  1678,  thirty-six  English- 
men, Trom  Dedh.am  and  Med  field,  with  ninety  christian  [n- 
dians,  pursued,  overtook  and  captured  fifty  Indians  without 
losing  a  man.  Among  these  was  Pomham,  a  great  sachem 
of  the  Narragansets,  who  after  he  was  wounded  so  that 
he  could  not  stand,  but  was  left  for  dead,  the  dying  beast 
u-ith  helhiine  rage,  got  such  hold  of  an  Englishman,  who 
came  up  to  him,  that  he  had  killed  him  unless  he  had  had 
assistance.*  What  design  brought  Pomham  so  near  Ded- 
ham at  this  time,  cannot  even  be  conjectured  ;  perhaps  he 
had  no  rational  motive,  for  the  Indians  as  soon  as  their 
own  country  was   attacked,  seem  to  have  lost  their  under- 


*  Magnnlia,  2  vo).  4!i7. 


CHAP,  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAH.  45 

Standings,  and  were  so  amazed  that  they  wandered  in  the 
woods  careless  of  the  fate  which  awaited  them,  and  were 
destroyed  without  making  much  opposition. 

Character  of  the  first  generation. — Dedham  plantation 
during  many  years,  was  a  little  community  governed  prin- 
cipally by  its  own  laws,  and  having  little  connexion  with 
other  people.  They  were  a  company  selected  i'rom  the 
first  emigrants  into  Massachusetts.  As  moderate  puritans, 
they  were  inclined  to  go  southward  towards  a  country, 
where  Mr.  Blackstone  and  Roger  Williams  were  compel- 
ed  to  flee  from  intolerance.  The  excellent  men  in  the 
plantation,  would  naturally  attract  to  it  persons  of  a  simi- 
lar character.  It  was  no  place  for  a  wrong  head  or  a  big- 
ot, or  an  enthusiast.  It  was  no  place  for  a  display  of  any 
kind.  A  peaceable  loving  civil  society  was  the  great  ob- 
ject of  the  people.  They  were  willing  to  keep  aloof  from 
the  nice  questions  involved  in  the  antinomian  and  other 
theological  controversies.  In  this  respect  they  exhibited  a 
contrast  with  some  other  settlements.  They  at  first  assert- 
ed the  rights  of  conscience,  and  in  no  instance  which  I 
can  discover,  attempted  to  violate  that  right  in  others. 
The  preface  to  the  church  records  fully  asserts  the  doc- 
trine of  religious  liberty,  as  it  is  now  understood.  It 
modestly  states  '•  That  the  proceedings  herein  set  down 
may  be  of  some  use  in  after  times:  no  way  intending  here- 
by to  bind  the  conscience  of  any  to  walk  by  this  pattern, 
any  farther  than  it  may  appear  to  be  agreeable  to  the  rule 
of  the  gospel."  When  the  church  was  about  to  be  organ- 
ized, governor  Winthrop  cent  word  to  .  Mr.  Allin,  that  it 
must  \\o\  be  done  without  the  approbation  of  the  magis- 
trates. This  excited  alarm,  lest  this  claim  of  jurisdiction 
by  the  civil  rulers,  "  should  be  prejudicial  to  God's  peo- 
ple ;  and  some  seeds  of  usurpation  upon  the  liberties  of 
the  gospel."  I  cannot  find  any  evidence  that  any  inhabi- 
tant in  this  town  was  ever  deluded  with  the  notions 
and  errors  of  some  of  the  first  inhabitants  settled  in  Bos- 
ton and  in  Essex  county.  Mr.  Norton's  book,  and  the  ge- 
neral court's  proclamations  against  the  quakers,  were  sent 
to  Dedham,  but  there  the  matter  ended. 

The  grand  jury  in  1075,  threatened  to  prosecute  the  se- 
lectmen if  they  did  not  cause  the  law  against  excess  in  ap- 
parel to  be  observed.     I  cannot  discover  that  afterwards 


40  HISTORV  OF  DEDHAM.  [ciiai-,  v. 

silk  hoods  and  ribbons,  were  stripped  from  the  heads  of  the 
Avomen^  or  that  great  boots  were  prosecuted  as  that  law 
required.  The  language  first  spoken  in  the  town,  was  that 
of  republicans.  Church  and  connmonweahh,  rights  of  the 
colony,  freemen  and  the  rights  of  freemen,  are  words  fre- 
quently seen  in  the  records.  The  phrases,  loyalty,  subject, 
your  majesty,  and  your  majesty's  pleasure,  are  not  used,  ex- 
cept for  the  purpose  of  showing  dislike  to  the  things  there- 
by expressed.  The  first  time  I  notice  the  word  majesty,  in 
the  records,  it  is  used  to  record  this  unanimous  opinion  of 
the  inhabitants.  "  This  day,  January  30,  1683,  it  was  put 
to  vote  of  the  freemen  and  other  inhabitants,  whether  they 
did  desire  the  governor  and  company  would  defend  their 
characters  and  privileges,  so  far  as  they  can.  Voted,  by 
all,  in  the  aflirmative.  It  being  put  to  them,  whether  they 
are  willing  to  make  a  full  submission  and  entire  resigna- 
tion to  his  majesty's  pleasure.  Voted,  by  all,  in  the  nega- 
tive." 

These  expressions  of  opinion  of  the  inhabitants,  were 
caused  by  the  proposition  made  to  this  and  all  other  towns 
in  the  colony,  at  this  time  by  the  general  court,  thus  to  de- 
clare it.  The  ministers  of  king  James  the  second,  had  de- 
manded a  surrender  of  the  charter;  and  the  general  court 
was  desirous  of  being  supported  in  their  refusal  of  that  de- 
mand, by  these  town  meeting  resolves.  The  town  we 
may  believe  was  very  strong  in  these  resolutions ;  since 
their  deputy,  captain  Daniel  Fisher,  acted  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  struggles  to  maintain  the  charter,  and  did  no 
doubt  animate  his  constituents  with  the  same  spirit  for 
which  he  was  much  distinguished.  Here  in  the  very  ori- 
gin of  the  town,  a  strong  predilection  for  republican  go- 
vernment was  manifest ;  and  we  shall  see  as  we  proceed 
that  every  succeeding  event  and  revolution,  contributed 
to  strengthen  it.  In  this  particular,  J3edhamdidnot  differ 
from  the  other  towns.  These  traits  in  the  character  of  its 
people,  are  worthy  of  notice,  principally  because  they  are 
a  pretty  good  example  to  show  the  origin  and  progress  of 
public  opinions  in  relation  to  the  principles  of  government. 

In  Mr.  Savage's  list  of  freemen  who  had  been  admit- 
ted previous  to  the  year  1647,  which  list  is  in  the  appen- 
dix to  the  second  volume  of  Winthroj/s  journal,  I  count 
the  names  of  fifty  men  who  had  been  admitted  townsmen 
ofDedham.     A  list  of  these  fiflv  I  vvill  insert  in  the  tcpth 


CHAP,  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAItf.  47 

chapter.  The  number  of  non-freemen  who  had  become 
inhabitants  of  the  town  before  that  time,  was  nearly  the 
same.  Several  of  the  non-freemen  were  appointed  to  of- 
fices in  the  town.  John  Fairbanks  is  an  instance  ;  he 
could  not  become  a  freeman  because  he  could  not  con- 
scientiously make  a  public  profession  of  liiith  in  the  man- 
ner required  of  him  by  the  church. 

Among  the  other  usual  titles  added  to  the  names  of  men 
in  these  early  days,  the  records  show  that  sir,  was  the 
school  master's  title.  Sir  Metcalf,  Sir  Woodward,  and  Sir 
Dwight.  These  titles  were  applied  to  those  school  mas- 
ters only,  who  were  employed  the  whole  year,  and  were  so 
by  profession.  If  it  was  intended  to  make  the  very  useful 
and  honorable  employment  of  school  master,  a  stepping 
stone  to  a  species  of  knighthood,  should  we  smile  at  it  .^ 
Our  modern  addition  of  Aonora6/e,  which  is  connected  with 
so  many  degrees  of  dignity  and  variety  of  employment, 
cannot  be  better  supported  on  the  ground  of  reason  alone. 
The  scrupulous  attention  to  titles,  civil  and  military,  even 
down  to  that  of  sergeant,  in  our  records,  may  excite  some 
attention.  Yet  even  when  this  regard  to  titles  was  great- 
est, I  do  not  find  so  many  persons  dignified  with  the  name 
of  mister,  as  are  now  in  the  town  entitled  to  the  addition  of 
honorable. 

However  different  might  be  the  characters  of  the  first 
settlers,  when  they  were  collected  into  a  society  here, 
united  by  mutual  wants  and  common  pursuits,  the  prevail- 
ing traits  of  their  character  would  soon  predominate,  and 
the  leading  men  would  in  such  a  state  of  things  as  then 
existed,  communicate  a  large  share  of  their  own  character 
to  the  rest  of  the  community.  It  becomes  proper  therefore 
to  give  a  short  account  of  their  lives  and  characters. 

Edward  Allyne  was  the  principal  man  in  the  first  com- 
pany who  came  from  Watertown.  He  wrote  the  first  re- 
cords. The  town  covenant  was  probably  the  work  of  his 
hands.  He  was  not  admitted  into  the  Dedham  church  with- 
out difficulty  and  objections  to  his  conduct  in  England. 
But  these  objections  were  removed  as  soon  as  he  could  pro- 
cure evidence  from  England.  It  appears  that  Mr.  Allyne 
intended  to  begin  a  settlement  at  Mod  field,  for  he  procur- 
ed a  grant  of  a  considerable  tract  of  land  there,  but  before 
that  plantation  was  begun,  he  died  at  Boston,  1642. 

Reverend  John  Allin,  (so  spelled  by  him)  came  to  Ded- 


4S  HISTORY  OF  DEDHA.AI.  [chai-.  y. 

ham  in  July,  1637,  and  immediately  began  to  direct  those 
proceedings,  which  laid  the  foundation  of  the  church.  He 
came  here,  as  his  records  express  it,  in  expectation  of  em- 
ployment in  public  work.  He  had  received  a  liberal  edu- 
cation in  England,  but  had  not  been  ordained.  The  his- 
tory of  his  life  may  be  collected  from  his  records,  which 
with  great  minuteness,  describe  the  measures  adopted  in 
■organising  the  church,  and  which  unfold  his  own  and  the 
character  of  his  brethren.  It  required  great  prudence 
and  skill  to  gather  a  church  on  his  principles.  He  requir- 
ed a  strict  scrutiny  into  the  actions  and  religious  affections 
of  each  candidate  before  admission,  even  in  those  cases 
where  the  candidate  was  a  member  of  another  church. 
This  work  he  however  accomplished  in  a  peaceable  man- 
ner, and  governed  his  church  with  increasing  reputation, 
thirty-two  years.  Governor  Winthrop  says,-  that  this 
church  was  gathered  with  good  approbation.*  When 
some  disputes  arose  in  the  colony,  respecting  the  nature 
of  its  relations  to  the  English  government,  and  the  aftair 
was  referred  to  the  ruling  elders  for  advice,  Mr.  Allin  was 
chosen  the  chairman  of  that  body,  to  deliver  their  opinion. 
This  he  did  in  writing,  and  his  report  is  published  in  Win- 
throp's  journal. f  When  the  synod  met  at  Cambridge,  by 
adjournment,  on  the  15th  day  of  September,  1648,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  system  of  church  government,  J\]r. 
Allin  was  appointed  to  preach  to  that  assembly.  He 
preached  from  the  15th  chapter  of  Acts.  Mr.  Savage  in  a 
note  to  Winthrop's  text,  conjectures  that  he  would  insist 
on  the  doctrines  of  the  10th  and  11th  verses.  "Now 
therefore  why  tempt  ye  God,  to  put  a  yoke  on  the  necks 
of  his  disciples,  which  neither  our  fathers  nor  we  are  able 
to  bear  ^  We  believe  that  through  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus,  we  shall  be  saved  even  as  they."  The  con- 
jecture is  supported  by  the  fact,  that  these  passages  well 
express  Mr.  Allin's  opinions  in  relation  to  the  government 
of  the  church.  This  is  governor  Winthrop's  account  of 
the  sermon.  That  it  was  a  very  godly,  learned  and  par- 
ticular handling  of  near  all  the  doctrines  concerning  thai 
subject,  with  a  clear  discovery  and  refutation  of  such  er- 
rors, objections  and  scruples  as  had  been  raised  about  it. 

"  Winthrop's  Journal,  vol.  1,  275. 
t  Winthrop's  Journal,  vol.  2,  282. 


CHAP,  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAIM.  49 

by  some  young  heads  in  the  country.*  In  the  midst  of 
this  sermon  there  came  a  snake  in  among  the  elders,  sit- 
ting behind  the  preacher.  Many  of  them  shrunk  away 
from  it;  but  Mr.  Thompson,  a  minister  full  of  the  faith, 
trod  on  his  head  and  killed  it.  Thus  manifesting  the  de- 
signs of  Providence.  The  snake  representing  the  devil,  is 
crushed  by  the  synod,  the  representatives  of  the  churches. 
Mr.  Allin  published  a  book  with  the  title,  A  defence  of 
the  nine  positions.  This  book  was  highly  commended  by 
Mr.  Cotton,  the  famous  minister  of  Boston.  That  he  should 
be  employed  on  such  occasions,  and  be  praised  by  such 
Judges,  is  evidence  that  he  was  a  man  of  no  ordinary  merit. 
His  own  brethren  and  townsmen  seem  to  have  been  great- 
ly attached  to  him.  They  made  him  liberal  donations, 
and  after  his  death  published  two  of  his  last  sermons.  The 
history  of  his  life  will  appear  from  his  church  records.  He 
was  a  man  of  sweet  temper,  and  as  Cotton  Mather  expres- 
ses it,  of  a  genteel  spirit,  a  diligent  student,  of  competent 
learning,  a  humble  man  and  sincere  christian.  Mather 
proposes  his  epitaph. 

Vir  sincerus,  amans  pacis,  patiensque  laborum, 
Perspicuous,  simplex,  doclrinae  purus  amator.f 

Dr.  Cotton  Mather  had  sufficient  room  in  his  Magnalia, 
and  he  might  have  collected  ample  materials  for  writing- 
Mr.  Allin's  biography,  but  the  sketch  of  his  life  in  that 
book,  is  a  wordy  nothing.     Mr.  Allin  died  August  26,  1671 . 

Major  Eleazer  Lusher — came  to  Dedham  with  Mr.  Allin, 
and  maintains  an  eminent  rank  among  the  founders  of  the 
town.  He  was  the  leading  man  all  his  lifetime,  and  di- 
rected all  the  most  important  affairs  of  the  town.  The 
lull  and  perfect  records  which  he  kept,  the  proper  style  of 
his  writings,  above  all  the  peace  and  success  of  the  plan- 
tation, which  had  the  wisdom  to  employ  him,  are  good  evi- 
dences of  his  merit,  and  that  his  education  had  been  supe- 
rior to  all  other  men  in  the  town,  (Mr.  Allin  excepted.) 

He  was  a  deputy  to  the  general  court  many  years,  and 
was  an  influential  and  useful  member  of  tliat  bodv. 

When  Charles  the  second  was  restored  to  the  English 
throne,  great  fears  began  to  be  entertained  in  the  colony, 

*  Winthrop,  vol.  2,  330. 
t  Magnalia,  vol.  1,  p.  41G. 


5D  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAaf.  [chap.  \, 

that  its  charter  and  liberties  might  be  violated  by  the  new 
administration.  In  1660,  a  large  committee  was  appointed 
by  the  general  court  to  sit  in  Boston,  to  consider  the  per- 
ilous state  of  aftairs  then  existing,  and  advise  the  general 
court  in  the  measures  to  be  adopted.  Major  Lusher  was 
one  of  that  committee.* 

In  1666,  the  king's  commissioners  had  excited  discontent 
in  New  Hampshire  and  Maine  against  this  colony.  The 
general  court  ajjpointed  major  Lusher  one  of  three  com- 
missioners, to  repair  thither  to  allay  the  discontent,  which 
duty  was  executed  with  success. 

Li  ]  662,  he  was  appointed  an  assistant ;  how  many  years 
he  continued  in  that  office  I  have  not  learned. 

The  following  saying  was  repeated  frequently,  by  the 
generation  which  immediately  succeeded  Mr.  Lusher. 

"  When  Lusher  was  in  office,  all  thing's  went  well) 
But  how  they  g'o  since,  it  shames  us  to  tell." 

His  death  is  noticed  in  the  church  records,  as  it  is  quo- 
ted in  Mr.  Dexter's  century  sermon.  "Major  Eleazer  Lush- 
er, a  man  sound  in  the  faith,  of  great  holiness  and  heaven- 
ly mindedness,  who  was  of  the  first  foundation  of  this 
church,  and  had  been  of  great  use  (as  in  the  common- 
wealth, so  in  the  church.)  especially  after  the  death  of  the 
reverend  pastor  thereof,  Mr.  John  Allin,  departed  this  life 
November  13,  1672." 

His  eulogium  in  the  wonder  working  Providence  is,  that 
he  was  a  nimble  footed  captain,  a  man  of  the  right  stamp, 
and  full  for  the  country. 

Captain  Daniel  Fisher — was  admitted  into  the  Dedham 
church  in  1639,  the  record  of  which  is  in  these  words, 
"  Daniel  Fisher  appeared  to  the  church  a  hopeful  chris- 
tian young  man,  and  was  easily  and  gladly  received." 
From  that  time  to  his  death,  in  November,  16S3,  he  was 
much  employed  in  public  business,  in  the  several  offices  of 
deputy  to  the  general  court,  speaker  of  that  assembly,  and 
assistant,  in  which  office  he  died.  He  was  employed  in 
nmch  of  the  business  in  the  plantation.  In  his  time,  the 
notable  tyranny  of  sir  Edmund  Andros,  the  governor  of 
the  colony,  had  less  plausible  pretexts,  than  those  meas- 
ures which  produced   the  war  of  separation.     In  its  then 

*  Hutchinson's  liistoiv,  \ol.  1.  p.  1!.'6. 


CHAP,  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAM.  51 

feeble  state,  it  was  more  insulting  to  oppress,  and  it  was 
more  dangerous  to  resist.  But  danger  would  not  deter  a 
brave  man  and  a  patriot  like  captain  Fisher,  from  domg 
his  duty. 

In  February,  1681,  Randolph,  the  agent  of  king  James 
in  the  colony,  exhibited  articles  of  high  misdemeanor 
against  a  faction,  (so  called  by  Randolph.)  in  the  general 
court,  to  the  lords  in  council.  Among  these  men  thus  se- 
lected to  be  the  victims  of  royal  indignation,  was  captain 
Fisher. 

June  14,  1682,  Randolph  wrote  to  the  earl  of  Clarendon, 
that  a  quo  ivarranio  had  issued  against  the  colony  charter, 
and  that  a  warrant  had  been  sent  out  to  carry  Thomas 
Danforth,  Samuel  Nowell,  Daniel  Fisher,  and  Elisha  Cook, 
to  England,  to  answer  for  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors, 
and  intimates,  that  the  prosecution  which  his  papers  and 
evidence  would  support,  would  make  their  faction  trem- 
ble.* 

Captain  Fisher  was  speaker  of  the  house  at  this  time, 
and  was,  we  must  believe,  a  man  of  great  influence  there- 
in, otherwise  he  would  not  have  been  so  much  noticed  at 
the  British  court.  Indeed  in  such  a  time,  his  high  spirit 
and  resolute  mind,  would  not  permit  him  to  be  a  timid  and 
wavering  man.  He  lived  not  to  witness  the  capture  of  sir 
Edmund  Andros  and  the  other  associates  of  his  tyranny,  at 
Fort  Hill,  in  April,  1689,  and  an  end  put  to  their  oppres- 
sions by  that  event.  But  it  must  be  remembered,  that  he 
contributed  much  to  cherish  that  firm  spirit  of  resistance, 
which  produced  that  change,  and  which  early  taught  what 
a  brave  and  united  people  might  do.  Many  of  the  de- 
scendants of  this  gentleman  have  been  respectable,  and 
have  inherited  his  high  and  patriotic  spirit.  I  relate  one 
anecdote,  which  illustrates  the  character  of  this  family, 
and  the  spirit  of  the  times.  It  was  told  me  by  the  honor- 
able Ebenezer  Fisher,  of  this  town,  late  one  of  the  coun- 
cil, a  descendant  of  captain  Fisher.  When  sir  Edmund 
was  captured  on  Fort  Hill,  by  the  Bostonians,  he  surren- 
dered, and  went  unarmed  to  Mr.  Usher's  house,  where  he 
remained  under  guard  for  some  hours.  When  the  news  of 
this  event  reached  Dedham,  captain  Daniel  Fisher,  the  son 
of  the  proscribed  patriot  then  dead,  a  stout  strong  man, 

*  HutcliinsoH's  liislory,.  vol.  J,,'  p.  303. 


52  HISTORY  OP  DEDHAM.  [chap.  t. 

possessing  his  father's  hatred  of  the  tyrant,  and  his  reso- 
lute spirit,  instantly  set  out  for  Boston,  and  came  rushing 
in  witli  the  country  people,  who  were  in  such  a  rage  and 
heat  as  made  all  tremble  again.  Nothing  would  satisfy 
the  country  party  but  binding  the  governor  with  cords,  and 
carrying  him  to  a  more  safe  place.  Soon  was  captain  Fish- 
er seen  among  the  crowd,  leading  the  pale  and  trembling 
sir  Jildmund  by  the  collar  of  his  coat,  from  the  house  of 
Mr.  Usher,  back  to  Fort  Hill.  History  has  informed  u?  of 
this  incident,  in  that  revolution,  but  it  has  never  informed 
us  who  took  the  lead  of  the  country  people,  and  who  had 
the  honor  of  leading  the  proud  representative  of  a  Stuart 
prince,  the  oppressor  of  the  colony,  through  the  assembled 
crowd,  and  placing  him  in  safe  custody  at  the  fort. 

The  gentleman  here  noticed,  was  likewise  much  employ- 
ed in  the  various  affairs  of  the  town.  Did  any  enterprise 
require  a  hardy  and  skilful  agent,  he  was  the  man  most 
likely  to  be  selected.  In  1663,  he  was  selected  to  go  with 
John  Fairbanks  through  the  wilderness  in  search  of  a 
tract  of  good  land,  which  a  vague  rumour  had  hinted  was 
about  twelve  miles  from  Hadley.  He  had  the  honor  of  be- 
ing sent  ambassador  to  king  Philip,  to  negociate  a  treaty 
for  his  lands  at  Wrentham.  Mr.  Dexter,  in  his  century 
sermon,  says  he  was  learned  in  the  law. 

Captain  Timothy  Divight — was  a  child  when  his  father 
brought  him  to  Dedham,  in  1635.  He  was  admitted  into 
the  church  in  1652.  He  was  the  town  recorder,  select- 
man, an  agent  in  much  town  business  during  the  lives  of 
Lusher  and  Fisher.  He  was  also  after  their  decease,  a  de- 
puty to  the  general  court.  He  was  a  faithful  and  upright 
man,  and  greatly  esteemed  for  his  personal  merit,  and  for 
his  public  services.  His  character  is  given  in  the  church 
records,  which  state  "  that  he  was  a  gentleman  truly  seri- 
ous and  godly,  one  of  an  excellent  spirit,  peaceable,  gene- 
rous, charitable,  and  a  promoter  of  the  true  interests  of  the 
church  and  town."  He  died,  January  31,  1717.  Among 
the  posterity  of  this  gentlemen,  are  now  majiy  respectable 
families  in  New  England.  The  late  Timothy  Dwight,  form- 
erly the  much  respected  president  of  the  college  at  New 
Haven,  was  one  of  his  descendants.  He  had  six  wives,  and 
the  last  was  buried  on  the  same  day  with  himself. 


OHAP.  v.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  53 

Of  the  other  excellent  men  of  this  time,  of  eldei'Hunting, 
of  deacon  Chickering,  of  Anthony  Fisher,  and  others,  per- 
haps of  equal  merit,  nothing  can  now  be  added.  It  would 
be  an  act  of  great  injustice  to  the  character  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, to  withhold  from  them  the  just  praise  of  willingly 
and  promptly  executing  all  the  useful  enterprises  of  the 
first  half  century.  The  merit  of  suffering,  and  acting,  for 
the  common  interest,  was  that  of  the  whole,  and  not  of 
a  few  men.  The  inhabitants  had  the  wisdom  to  appoint 
able  and  upright  public  agents,  and  then  support  them  un- 
der circumstances  of  great  difficulty. 

Historians  and  antiquaries  in  New  England  have  been  di- 
ligent to  collect  a  full  account  of  what  are  now  considered 
the  follies  and  errors  of  the  first  settlers  in  Massachusetts. 
The  victims  of  their  intolerance  have  had  their  just  com- 
plaints made  known.  The  several  disorders  which  exist- 
ed in  many  of  the  early  plantations,  are  minutely  describ- 
ed. The  foolery  aboiji women  wearing  veils,  the  officious 
interference  of  the  ruling  elders  in  matters  which  did  not 
belong  to  them,  and  the  delusions  of  witchcraft,  have  been 
particularly  described,  and  often  published.  Many  of  the 
least  useful  men  among  the  magistrates  and  elders,  have 
made  the  greatest  figure  in  the  early  history  of  the  state. 
This  is  all  well,  so  far  ;  it  is  not  to  be  regretted  by  any 
means,  that  we  have  so  full  a  history  of  these  things.  But 
I  am  apt  to  believe  that  our  early  history,  as  it  is  now  be- 
fore us,  does  injustice  to  the  whole  colony.  The  spots 
and  blemishes  we  may  admit,  are  all  described  by  a  faith- 
ful hand,  but  the  bright  and  the  beautiful  parts  of  the 
scene,  are  not  fully  exhibited  to  our  view.  Here  for  in- 
stance, is  a  little  company  settled  in  the  woods  of  Dedham, 
guided  by  their  good  common  sense,  with  tolerant  princi- 
ples in  religion,  superior  to  that  of  the  age,  peaceable,  or- 
derly and  industrious.  Their  principle  men  of  the  same 
character,  not  ambitious  to  make  a  display  on  a  public 
stage  ;  yet  they  arc  not  known,  they  would  naturally  Be 
overlooked,  for  crimes  and  follies  constitute  a  great  part  of 
all  histories.  The  success  and  good  character  of  the  Ded- 
ham plantation,  afford  no  materials  for  a  good  story,  while 
the  disorders  among  the  militia  at  Hingham,  the  church 
quarrel  at  Weymouth,  the  riots  at  Mount  Woolaston,  make 
those  places  somewhat,  famous.  That  inquisitor,  Weld, 
the  minister  of  Roxbury,  as  he  has  been  justly  styled,  who 


54  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chat.  v. 

was  SO  forward  to  prosecute  Mrs.  Hutchinson  for  heresy, 
is  quite  an  important  personage,  although  he  was  only  a 
few  years  in  the  colony.  John  Allin,  who  if  we  may  be- 
lieve the  best  judges  among  his  cotemporaries,  was  a  man 
of  great  worth,  is  so  little  known,  that  Cotton  Mather,  his 
professed  biographer,  regrets  that  he  scarcely  knows  any 
thing  about  him. 


CHAP.  VI.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAM. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Annals  of  the  town  from  1686,  to  1736.  Parishes  begin  to  be  settled.  Vacancy  in 
the  ministry  eight  years.  Town  indicted  for  not  keeping  a  grammar  school.  In- 
habitants and  proprietors  of  Dedham  become  distinct  bodies.  Sherburne  dividend. 
Three  sets  of  town  officers  chosen  one  year.  Schools  badly  supported.  Law 
against  new  comers.  Bills  of  credit.  Disputed  elections.  School  farm.  Tyot, 
or  second  parish,  incorporated.  Clapboardtrees,  or  third  parish,  incorporated. 
Census.    Review  of  the  last  fifty  years. 


1682.  A  VOTE  was  passed  that  no  one  of  the  inhabi- 
tants should  remove  to  a  greater  distance  than  two  miles 
from  the  meeting  house,  without  special  license,  as  any 
person  so  removing,  would  expose  himself,  in  time  of  dan- 
ger, and  to  the  want  of  town  government. 

Soon  after  this  time,  most  of  the  small  houses,  first  built 
in  the  village,  being  decayed,  the  inhabitants  abandoned 
them,  and  their  small  home  lots,  and  settled  on  larger 
tracts  of  land,  within  the  town.  In  about  fifty  years  from 
the  commencement  of  these  settlements  out  of  the  village, 
it  became  necessary  to  establish  three  new  parishes,  Tyot, 
Clapboardtrees,  and  Springfield,  since  incorporated  into  a 
town,  by  the  name  of  Dover. 

In  August,  1685,  began  a  vacancy  in  the  ministry,  and 
continued  until  November,  1693,  during  which  time,  the 
town  was  in  a  low  and  divided  state.  During  this  time 
the  inhabitants  elected  four  candidates  into  the  ministeri- 
al office,  viz  :  Mr.  Samuel  Lee,  Mr.  Willard,  of  Boston, 
Mr.  Jonathan  Pierpont,  and  Mr.  Nathaniel  Clap.  Mr. 
Pierpont's  answer,  negativing  his  call,  strongly  insinuates 
that  the  state  of  things  here  was  bad.  "  When,"  says  he, 
"  God  invites  laborers  into  his  vineyard,  it  does  not  become 
them  to  say  ^  I  ^vori't  come,''  but  will  you  not  permit  me  to 
say  in  this  case,  I  dare  not  come.^' 

1691.  The  town  is  indicted  for  not  supporting  a  school. 
It  had  been  before  indicted  in  1674.  The  pressure  of  the 
Indian  war  was  then  a  good  e.vcuse,  if  excuse  can  be  given 
for  neglecting  so  important  an  institution.  The  select- 
men report  that  the  lands  near  Mendon  and  Wrcntham, 
now  Bellingham,  are  not  worth   laying  out  for  a  dividend. 


5G  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAAI  [chap.  vi. 

March  4,  1694.  The  inhabitants  of  the  town  have  a 
town  meeting,  and  adjourn.  Then  the  proprietors  of  Ded- 
ham  immediately  hold  another  distinct  meeting  in  the  same 
place.  This  is  the  first  actual  separation  of  the  two  bodies 
which  I  notice  in  the  records. 

1()95.  The  proprietors  vote  to  lay  out  the  lands  within 
the  town  bounds,  on  the  northerly  side  of  Sherburne  road, 
to  the  lower  falls,  which  lands  are  in  Sherburne.  In  1698, 
3400  acres  were  accordingly  laid  out,  and  assigned  to 
those  who  could  then  show  their  rights  therein. 

March,  1698.  Voted  to  give  a  bounty  of  ten  shillings 
addition  to  the  present  bounty  of  twenty  shillings,  to  any 
person,  for  each  full  grown  wolf  by  him  killed.  A  con- 
siderable number  of  bounties,  provided  for  by  this  vote, 
are  soon  received. 

1700.  Voted  to  raise  thirty  pounds  to  repair  the  meet- 
ing house,  half  to  be  paid  in  wheat,  at  five  shillings  per 
bushel,  RYE  at  four,  and  corn  at  two  shillings,  and  a  day's 
work  at  two  shillings. 

1701.  The  great  causeway  on  the  bank  of  Charles  river 
is  begun  and  soon  finished. 

1702.  Voted  that  the  law  of  the  town,  forbidding  any 
person,  not  an  inhabitant,  to  purchase  land  in  the  town, 
and  forbidding  townsmen  to  sell  to  new  comers,  is  in  force, 
and  that  means  be  used  to  get  it  approved  by  the  general 
court. 

1702.  Voted  to  repair  the  meeting  house,  and  that  short 
pews  be  made  by  the  pulpit  stairs,  where  the  boys  shall  be 
seated. 

March  6,  1703.  A  town  meeting  is  held  all  day,  and  do 
no  business  but  adjourn  to  March  13.  Then  the  adjourn- 
ed meeting  cannot  succeed  in  doing  business,  and  adjourns 
to  March  17.  A  set  of  town  officers  is  then  chosen.  A 
new  meeting  is  called  on  the  27th,  when  another  set  of 
town  officers  is  chosen.  On  the  17th  of  April,  a  third  set 
of  town  officers  is  chosen  by  order  of  the  court  of  sessions. 

1705.  Mr.  Belcher  acknowledges  on  the  town  book. 
that  sundry  persons,  who  had  promised  him  at  his  ordina- 
tion, to  make  such  addition  to  his  voted  salary  of  sixty 
pounds,  equal  to  one  hundred,  had  honorably  performed 
their  engagement. 

November  27,  1711.  Forty  persons  residing  in  that  part 
of  the  town  now  called  Needham,  ask  leave  to  be  setoff 


CHAP.  VI.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  57 

into  a  township,  alleging  as  a  reason  therefor,  that  they 
could  not  enjoy  advantages  for  schooling  and  religious  in- 
struction, and  that  being  a  minor  part  of  the  town,  they  did 
not  enjoy  equal  rights  in  other  respects.  Dedham  at  first 
opposed  the  separation,  but  at  last  consented  to  it,  on  the 
condition  that  the  petitioners  should  be  confined  to  less 
territory  than  was  demanded.  The  legislature  however 
granted  the  full  prayer  of  the  petitioners,  as  to  territory, 
against  the  limitation  of  Dedham. 

1715.  The  town  granted  fifteen  pounds  for  schooling. 
This  sum  had  been  granted  several  years  before  this  time, 
and  was  afterwards  voted.  This  amount  in  the  deprecia- 
ted currency  of  this  time,  must  have  come  far  short  of  an 
adequate  support  of  schools.  Indeed  the  bad  writino-,  the 
bad  spelling  in  the  records,  the  disorders  in  the  town  meet- 
ings, the  quarrels  in  the  church,  fully  denote  the  want  of 
sufficient  education  of  the  people  at  this  time. 

1718.  The  town  vote  that  any  inhabitant  who  shall 
either  leave  or  sell  houses  or  lands  to  strangers,  without 
first  obtaining  leave  of  the  selectmen,  or  shall  entertain 
them,  without  leave,  shall  forfeit  twenty  shillings  for  every 
month  the  unlicensed  stranger  shall  remain  in  town.  And 
every  person  residing  here  contrary  to  this  provision,  shall 
pay  the  like  sum  of  twenty  shillings. 

May,  1719.     Bellingham  is  set  off  from  Dedham. 

1720.  The  province  taxes  are  called  country  taxes  in  the 
assessments  until  this  time.  The  name  provincial,  mi^ht 
be  odious,  and  on  that  account  not  used. 

1721.  I'he  town  being  notified  that  its  share  of  the  fif- 
ty thousand  pounds  of  bills  of  credit,  was  ready  to  be  de- 
livered, vote  to  accept  it,  and  thereupon  make  a  number 
of  by-laws  for  regulating  the  loans  to  townsmen.  I  con- 
clude from  the  frequent  attention  of  the  town  to  this  sub- 
ject, from  the  number  of  meetings,  and  some  disputes,  it 
found  itself  a  very  badly  organised  body  to  become  a  bank- 
ing institution. 

January,  1722.  The  small  pox  is  in  town,  and  the  in- 
habitants have  public  worship  in  a  private  house  for  fear 
of  the  contagion. 

The  inhabitants  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  pray  to  be 
set  off  into  a  town,  or  precinct.     Those  in  the  west  part 
present  a  similar  petition.     Neither  of  them   are  approved 
by  the  town  at  this  time. 
8 


5S  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  vr. 

April,  1723.  Five  of  the  principal  inhabitants  are  di- 
rected to  endeavor  to  hire  a  coach  to  bring  the  body  of  the 
reverend  Joseph  Belcher,  who  died  at  Roxbury,  into  Ded- 
ham,  and  forty  pounds  are  voted  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
his  funeral. 

1724.  Voted  to  give  Jar  vis  Pike  twenty  shillings  for 
keeping  the  boys  in  order  at  the  pulpit  stairs.  Walpole  is 
set  off  from  Dedham. 

1725.  Voted  that  the  grammar  school  shall  be  kept 
half  the  time  near  the  meeting  house,  and  half  the  time  in 
other  places  appointed  by  the  selectmen. 

1726.  The  town  voted  this  year  to  unite  with  other 
towns  to  form  a  new  county.  The  same  vote  was  again 
passed  in  1731,  and  1734. 

1727.  March  4.  A  town  meeting  is  held  all  day,  a 
town  clerk  and  first  selectman  only  were  chosen  ;  adjourn- 
ed to  next  day.  Then  a  debate  arose  about  the  qualifica- 
tion of  voters ;  two  more  selectmen  were  then  chosen. 
The  meeting  then  adjourned  to  the  7th  of  March.  On 
the  third  day  of  this  meeting  the  town  voted  to  have  a  new 
annual  meeting  on  the  fourth  day  of  April.  On  this  last 
day,  a  new  set  of  town  officers  are  chosen.  To  this  last 
election  there  is  a  formal  protest  entered  on  the  town  books 
by  many  of  the  inhabitants. 

September  22,  1728.  The  town  vote  that  if  some  in- 
habitants in  Stoughton  will  unite  with  those  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town,  in  a  petition  to  be  made  a  parish,  it  will 
consent  thereto. 

November,  1730.     The  second  parish   is  incorporated. 

March,  1729.  The  town  vote  to  raise  forty  pounds  by 
tax,  for  the  purpose  of  contributing  to  the  support  of  an 
agent  in  Britain.  This  measure  had  become  necessary  in 
consequence  of  the  governor's  refusal  to  sign  the  law  for 
taking  a  sufficient  sum  from  the  province  treasury.  The 
vote  sufficiently  denotes  the  party  which  the  town  support- 
ted  in  the  contests  with  governor  Shute  and  Burnet,  in  re- 
lation to  the  matters  concerned  in  that  agency. 

September,  1735.  The  town  authorises  a  committee  to 
commence  a  law  suit  for  the  recovery  of  the  school  farm, 
in  Needham,  of  three  hundred  acres,  and  vote  thirty  pounds 
to  support  the  suit.  This  land  had  been  given  to  support 
schools,  by  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town.  A  sub- 
sequent generation,  having  less  regard  for  education,  or- 


tHAP.  VI.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  59 

dered  the  land  to  be  sold  to  pay  the  ordinary  expenses, 
and  promised  the  agents  indemnity  for  making  the  sale. 

1736,  The  Clapboardtrees  parish,  or  third  parish,  is  in- 
corporated. 

The  number  of  persons  in  town  taxed  this  year,  is    259 

In  the    first    parish,      -      --------      129 

"    "  second     " --__        78 

"    "    third      " 52 

During  the  last  fifty  years,  the  inhabitants  must  have 
endured  great  hardships,  and  enjoyed  few  of  the  comforts 
of  life,  now  within  the  reach  of  their  posterity.  They 
were  continually  employed  in  clearing  and  subduing  their 
lands,  planting  orchards,  making  roads,  building  fences 
and  houses.  In  their  situation,  they  derived  only  a  bare 
subsistence  from  the  fruits  of  their  labor.  The  remainder 
werlt  to  enrich  posterity.  They  were  nearly  all  husband- 
men ;  they  had  in  the  last  fifty  years  extended  their  settle- 
ments six  or  seven  miles  from  the  village,  which  was  now 
abandoned  except  by  a  few  farmers.  For  all  these  peo- 
ple, amounting  to  about  fifteen  hundred  souls,  there  was 
only  one  minister,  and  one  school  master,  employed  only 
a  few  weeks  in  one  place.  The  people  therefore  must  have 
been  very  imperfectly  instructed.  There  was  here  in  this 
period,  one  physician,  a  few  mechanics,  no  traders,  no  ar- 
tists or  manufacturers.  The  strong  and  steady  love  of  re- 
ligious and  civil  liberty,  which  distinguished  their  ances- 
tors, had  now  become  a  mere  blind  passion  ;  it  had  no  ob- 
jects abroad  to  concentrate  and  excite  its  force.  It  was 
not  elevated  by  any  high  motive,  for  the  quarrels  with  the 
royal  governors,  after  the  charter  was  vacated,  could  not 
much  interest  the  people.  There  were  no  such  men  as 
Lusher  and  Fisher  to  direct  and  controul  popular  opinion. 
The  love  of  liberty  therefore  began  to  prey  on  itself, 
and  there  is  much  evidence  that  society  was  then  disturb- 
ed by  rough  and  uncivil  manners,  by  high,  hard  and  op- 
probious  epithets  frequently  bestowed. 

The  people  seem  to  have  had  a  strong  dislike  to  the  in- 
troduction of  new  comers  into  the  town.  The  reason  of  it 
is  obvious,  they  might  be  expensive,  and  what  was  a  much 
greater  objection,  they  might  occupy  the  places  wanted  for 
their  sons,  who  might  thereby  be  obliged  to  emigrate  into 
another  wilderness.  And  possibly  they  might  feel  that  the 
descendants  of  such  a  pure  stock  as  they  could  boast  of, 


(.iO  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  vt. 

would  be  in  some  danger  of  pollution  by  the  free  introduc- 
tion of  strangers.  Hence  the  inhabitants  remained  an  un- 
mixed race,  little  affected  by  intermarriages  or  emigration, 
and  unimproved  by  intercourse  with  other  people.  From  an 
inspection  of  the  assessors'  books  in  1736,  I  recognize  the 
numerous  descendants  of  some  of  the  first  settlers,  with  an 
extremely  small  number  of  new  names.  The  Colburns, 
the  Gays,  the  Ellises,  the  Farringtons,  the  Fishers,  the 
Guilds,  the  Metcalfs,  the  Richards,  and  the  Whitings,  de- 
scendants of  men  of  these  names,  had  branched  out  into 
families  from  eight  to  fifteen  in  number,  and  did  then  con- 
stitute a  considerable  portion  of  the  inhabitants. 

Some  of  the  little  blemishes  on  the  character  of  this 
generation,  have  been  noticed.  These  were  occasioned 
by  the  shades  of  the  wilderness  ;  it  would  be  great  injus- 
tice not  to  state  the  circumstances  which  in  some  degree 
excuse  or  palliate  them.  They  yielded  to  the  influence 
of  their  peculiarly  hard  situation.  The  generations  of  an 
hundred  years  had  made  great  impressions  on  the  wilder- 
ness, on  the  hard  and  stony  ground,  and  on  the  swamps 
and  meadows,  and  these  in  turn  must  have  made  a  slight 
im|)ression  on  the  character  of  the  inhabitants.  But  let  us 
remember  that  they  had  substantial  virtues.  They  were  hard 
workers,  frugal,  temperate,  and  essentially  upright.  They 
were  religious,  somewhat  too  rigid  it  may  be  confessed  for 
our  taste.  Upon  the  whole,  they  performed  well  the  part 
assigned  them  by  Providence.  Every  new  country  in  its 
progress  to  more  perfect  civilization,  presents  similar  traits 
of  character  in  its  inhabitants,  although  seldom  so  good  in 
a  moral  view.  Their  rough  unpolished  manners  attract 
more  notice  than  their  useful  actions.  They  were  far  from 
being  accomplished  gentlemen,  but  in  the  work  of  build- 
ing up  a  great  state  from  a  small  colony,  they  had  very 
efficient  and  able  hands.  The  men  of  which  we  speak, 
possessed  not  the  reputation  of  those  who  achieved  our  in- 
dependence, but  they  did  that  which  was  necessary  to  ac- 
complish that  great  enterprise.  They  cleared  the  country, 
they  laid  strong  the  foundation  of  civil  society.  If  men 
like  these  had  not  struck  many  hard  blows  on  the  wilder- 
ness, their  successors  could  not  have  given  the  British  ar- 
mies so  many  hard  knocks  in  after  times.  If  a  frugal  fa- 
ther, by  hard  labor,  acquire  the  sum  necessary  to  build  an 
elegant  dwelling  house,  I  protest  against  the  injustice  of 


CHAP.  VI.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  61 

attributing  all  the  praise  to  the  son,  who  does  nothing 
more  than  direct  the  workmen.  It  is  by  such  reflections 
as  these,  that  we  are  led  to  do  justice  to  the  men  of  a  hun- 
dred years  past.  Here,  before  my  eyes,  while  I  am  now 
writing,  the  workmen  are  raising  the  pillars  to  an  elegant 
stone  court  house  for  the  county  of  Norfolk.  Here  again 
must  the  above  reflection  guide  us,  in  determining  the  pro- 
portion of  praise  that  should  be  awarded  to  each  contribu- 
tor of  that  edifice.  It  is  not  the  magistrate  who  orders  it 
done,  nor  the  architect  who  furnishes  the  plan,  nor  the 
workmen  who  smooth  the  pillars  and  place  thereon  the 
capitals,  who  should  alone  be  praised  ;  but  the  men  like- 
wise of  the  present  and  past  generations,  who  have  com- 
pleted a  more  magnificent  work,  that  of  changing  the  wil- 
derness into  these  cultivated  towns  around  us,  of  erecting 
therein  so  many  comfortable  and  elegant  dwelling  houses 
and  villas,  and  bringing  to  such  maturity  a  prosperous  so- 
ciety. So  that  a  court  house  of  a  Grecian  model,  with  its 
doric  pillars,  is  an  appropriate  ornament.  So  that  this 
community,  with  far  less  efforts  than  those  made  by  them, 
can  now  build  elegant  dwellings,  and  erect  handsome 
public  buildings,  and  establish  large  manufacturing  insti- 
tutions. The  men  too  of  that  age,  were  all  of  the  procluctive 
class,  or  nearly  so;  they  transmitted  to  their  posterity  the 
benefit  of  a  good  example  in  industry  and  economy.  There 
were  hardly  any  paupers  in  those  days,  and  those  that  were 
such,  had  the  excuse  of  inevitable  misfortune,  and  were 
frequently  relieved  by  the  charitable  contribution  in  the 
church  or  in  town  meetings.  There  was  then  no  need  of  a 
poor  house  or  house  of  correction,  to  employ  the  idle  and 
restrain  the  vicious. 

The  first  settlers  in  this  town  we  have  seen,  required  a 
strict  scrutiny  into  every  man's  character,  who  was  propo- 
sed for  admission  into  the  town.  When  a  new  comer  first 
appeared,  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  inquired 
of  him  his  motives  for  being  here  ;  and  if  the  stranger 
answered,  that  it  was  for  the  purpose  of  settlement,  then 
these  questions  were  in  some  form  put  to  him.  Who  are 
you,  sir  ?  where  did  you  come  from  ?  What  worldly  sub- 
stance have  you  ?  Do  you  approve  our  church  govern- 
ment ?  Can  you  assure  us  that  you  will  not  become  a 
public  charge  to  our  plantation  ?  The  church  was  still 
more  critical  in  its  examination  of  the  candidates  proposed 


62  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  ti. 

for  admission.  A  mere  worldly  reputation  for  honesty  and 
sobriety  of  life,  did  not  satisfy  the  brethren,  but  he  was 
required  to  explain  his  moral  feelings,  his  religious  affec- 
tions, and  his  opinions  on  christian  doctrines.  Where  a 
stranger  would  seldom  appear,  as  was  the  case  in  all  the 
inland  towns,  especially  at  Dedham,  this  strict  inquisition 
would  be  made.  What  was  done  by  the  honored  fathers 
of  the  town,  what  was  done  by  the  reverend  elders,  agreea- 
bly to  the  policy  and  maxims  of  these  bodies,  would,  we 
may  suppose,  be  done  by  every  man,  woman  and  child  in 
the  plantation,  because  that  duty  was  in  fact  enjoined  by 
the  by-laws  and  policy  of  the  society. 

I  have  described  what  actually  was  done  at  an  early 
period  in  the  Dedham-plantation,  in  relation  to  this  sub 
ject.  We  have  seen  that  it  continued  long  to  exercise 
great  jealousy  of  new  comers,  and  in  fact  to  possess  great 
aversion  to  them.  May  we  not  suppose,  nay  are  we  not 
directly  informed,  that  other  inland  towns  of  early  date 
were  like  that  of  Dedham  in  this  respect  ?  Large  commer- 
cial towns  could  not  long  adhere  to  this  inquisitorial 
policy,  because  the  constant  influx  and  departure  of  stran- 
gers, the  frequent  intercourse  with  the  whole  country,  and 
the  varied  pursuits  of  its  inhabitants,  some  requiring  only 
a  temporary  residence,  would  render  it  impracticable. 
The  old  law  so  long  in  force,  authorizing  towns  to  warn 
out  those  persons  who  had  not  acquired  a  legal  settlement, 
grew  out  of  this  jealousy  of  strangers,  and  in  its  operation 
continued  to  strengthen  it.  Here  we  trace  the  origin  of 
that  peculiar  trait  in  the  New  England  character,  that  of 
impertinent  curiosity,  so  universally  observed  by  our  own 
countrymen  and  foreigners.  It  grew  out  of  the  attempt  to 
establish  a  pure  church,  and  a  pure  commonwealth.  What 
is  now  impertinent  curiosity  was  in  the  days  of  governor 
Winthrop  a  necessary  inquiry,  dictated  by  policy,  and  de- 
manded by  established  opinions  of  church  government. 
Many  emigrants  have  in  every  period  of  its  existence  gone 
from  Dedham  into  all  lands,  few  have  moved  into  it.  But 
when  the  new  comers  first  appear  at  the  present  time,  the 
old  feeling  is  excited  in  the  breasts  of  some  of  the  old 
standards;  what  sent  the  adventurer  here  !  !  The  current 
of  emigration  should  carry  him  into  the  western  wilder- 
ness !  All  the  places  here  are  wanted  for  the  natives  !  If 
such  sentiments  are  now  indulged  they  will  soon  entirely 


CHAP.  VI.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  63 

cease  to  exist.  Dedham  by  its  situation  possesses  many 
advantages  for  vaTious  employments.  The  skill  and  capi- 
tal which  it  forcibly  draws  hither  is  viewed  with  delight 
by  every  enlightened  mind  ;  and  that  skilful  artist  or  that 
man  of  capital  who  here,  appropriates  the  one  and  exerts 
the  other,  to  increase  employment,  are  real  benefactors. 
And  when  it  is  fully  perceived,  as  it  must  be,  that  the  town 
derives  great  advantage  from  the  various  kinds  of  new 
comers,  no  unfavorable  distinction  between  native  and 
emigrant  will  exist. 


64  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAxM.  [chap.  vii. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


An  account  of  events  from  1736  to  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Neponset 
river  becomes  the  east  boundary  of  Dedham.  Land  bank  bills.  Revolutionary 
proceedings.  Votes  against  the  Stamp  tax.  Indemnity  for  losses  b}'  the  riots 
in  Boston.  Non  importation  agreements.  Vote  against  the  Judges  salary. 
Resolution  to  resist.  Tea  drinkers  denounced,  and  posted  as  enemies  to  the 
country.  Minute  men.  May  27,  1776,  Independence  declared  by  the  town. 
Preparation  for  war.  Exertions  to  procure  soldiers.  First  draft  of  a  state  con- 
stitution approved.  Exertions  to  procure  soldiers.  Amount  of  town  expenses 
for  the  war  estimated.  Anecdote  relating  to  Mr.  Clark  the  Episcopal  minister  of 
Dedham.  Mr.  Dexter.  Adoption  of  the  State  constitution.  A  review  of  this 
period.  

1738.  Dedham  and  Stoughton  agreed  that  Neponset 
river  for  the  future  shall  be  the  boundary  line  between 
the  two  towns. 

1740.  A  debate  arose  in  town  meeting,  whether  the 
constables  should  be  instructed  to  receive  land  bank  bills  ':! 
Voted  in  the  affirmative.  Eight  men  protested  against  it, 
and  have  their  objections  recorded. 

174S.  A  fourth  parish  is  incorporated,  called  Springfield, 
now  the  town  of  Dover. 

October  1765.  The  town  chose  a  committee  of  seven  to 
report  instructions  to  be  given  to  their  representatives  in 
the  general  court,  respecting  the  stamp  tax.  These  in- 
structions are  addressed  to  Samuel  Dexter  esquire,  and 
forbid  him  to  do  any  thing  to  encourage  the  execution  of 
that  act,  and  enjoin  on  him  the  duty  of  resisting  the  act, 
for  the  reasons  so  fully  assigned  at  that  time  in  public 
documents  and  writings.  The  report  further  asserts, 
without  any  limitation,  the  right  of  the  town  to  give  in- 
structions binding  on  the  representatives. 

October  1766.  The  general  court  having  proposed  to 
the  town  the  question,  whether  it  will  bestow  an  indemnity 
on  the  late  sufferers  by  the  riots  in  Boston,  without  consent 
of  the  town  first  obtained  therefor,  the  town  voted  it  could 
not  ;  and  it  further  voted  it  would  not  consent  even  to  a 
partial  indemnity. 

November  1766.  The  town  acting  on  this  subject  a 
third  time,  declared  that  it  held  in  great  abhorrence  the 


cBAP.  vtt]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  05 

destruction  of  property,  by  a  mob.  That  the  suflovcr-s 
Iiovvever  have  no  just  chiim  to  indemnity,  that  it  wouhl  be 
a  dangerous  precedent  to  grant  it  as  a  matter  of  right,  as 
lately  contended  for,  but  nevertheless  that  we  may  show 
our  dutiful  regard  to  our  most  gracious  sovereign,  and  our 
gratitude  to  those  worthy  persons  who  caused  the  repeal 
of  the  stamp  act,  we  give  instructions  to  vote  for  the  iii- 
demnity,  as  it  is  now  asked  for,  on  the  ground  of  gene- 
rosity. 

176S.  The  town  taking  into  consideration  the  criti- 
cal state  of  public  affairs,  voted  to  chose  two  delegates  to 
attend  a  convention  in  Fanueil  hall.  Nathaniel  Sumner, 
Esq.   and  Richard  Woodward  were  the  delegates  chosen. 

March,  1770.  The  great  distresses  produced  by  oppres- 
sive revenue  acts,  the  coming  over  of  British  troops,  and 
the  laudable  example  of  many  towns,  induce  the  inhabitants 
to  vote  that  they  will  encourage  the  manufactory  of  such 
goods  as  are  imported  from  Great  Britain.  That  they  will 
not  have  commercial  dealings  with  merchants  whose  names 
arc  posted  up  in  a  list  among  us.  "  That  as  the  duty  on  tea 
furnishes  so  large  a  sum  towards  the  maintenance  of  innu- 
merable multitudes,  from  the  odious  commissioner  of  the 
customs,  down  to  the  dirty  informer  by  him  employed,  we 
will  use  710  foreign  tea,  nor  permit  our  families."  A  com- 
mittee is  appointed  to  see  this  vote  observed. 

January,  1773.  Voted  that  the  rights  of  the  colonies  and 
provinces  have  of  late  been  greatly  infringed  by  the  pa- 
rent country,  and  that  they  are  threatened  with  destruc- 
tion. That  affixing  salaries  to  the  judges,  making  them 
thereby  independent  of  the  people,  is  a  measure  extremely 
alarming.  Voted  that  this  town  will  unite  with  others  in 
measures  to  preserve  their  liberties.  The  copy  of  these 
votes  are  sent  to  the  committee  of  correspondence  at  Bos- 
ton. 

January,  1774.  The  town  voted  that  they  hear  with 
infinite  pleasure,  the  determination  of  other  colonies  to  pre- 
vent tea  from  being  made  use  of,  to  enlarge  British  reve- 
nue in  the  colonies.  As  so  many  political  evils  arc  brought 
about  by  an  unreasonable  liking  to  tea,  and  it  is  so  bane- 
ful to  the  human  constitution,  if  any  shall  continue  to  use 
it  while  the  act  creating  a  duty  thereon  is  in  force,  w(' 
shall  consider  it  as  a  flagrant  proof  of  their  hostility  to  the 
liberties  of  the  country,  and  ol'  their  own  stupidity.  It  is 
'J 


56  HISTORY  OF  DEDlIAAf.  [chap.  yit. 

further  voted  that  Abner  Ellis,  the  representative,  use  his 
influence,  that  a  congress,  composed  of  delegates  from  all 
the  colonies  be  convened  as  soon  as  may  be.  A  commit- 
tee of  correspondence  is  chosen. 

September,  1774.  The  town  met  for  the  purpose  of 
adopting  measures  to  prevent  the  late  acts  of  the  British 
parliament  from  being  carried  into  effect ;  and  chose  four 
persons  to  meet  a  convention  of  delegates  from  the  sever- 
al towns  in  the  county  of  Suffolk.  A  convention  had  been 
holden  at  Stoughton,  on  the  ICth  day  of  August  previous, 
and  had  adjourned  to  meet  at  Woodward's  tavern  in  Ded- 
liam,  on  the  sixth  day  of  September.  At  that  time  and 
place  the  convention  met,  composed  of  new  delegates  from 
Dedham  and  from  other  towns.  This  meeting  adjourn- 
ed again  to  meet  at  Vose's  house  in  Milton,  on  the  ninth 
day  of  September.  Here  the  convention,  after  choos- 
ing Joseph  Palmer,  Esq.  as  their  moderator,  and  William 
Thompson,  Esq.  their  clerk,  adopted  those  resolves,  and 
made  those  declarations  which  are  published  in  the  first 
volume  of  the  journals  of  the  old  congress,  and  which  seem 
to  have  been  the  first  of  the  kind,  honored  by  an  insertion 
at  full  length  in  their  journals. 

December,  1774.  The  inhabitants  again  vote  that  they 
will  not  drink  any  kind  of  India  tea,  nor  suffer  their  fami- 
lies, until  the  country  has  redress  of  grievances  mentioned 
in  the  association  agreement.  A  committee  of  eleven  per- 
sons was  then  chosen  to  make  inquiry,  whether  any  per- 
son is  so  void  of  love  to  his  country,  as  to  violate  these  en- 
gagements. If  any  were  found  the  committee  was  direct- 
ed to  post  them  up  as  enemies  to  their  country. 

March,  1775.  The  town  further  voted  that  the  con- 
stables should  pay  the  taxes  committed  to  them  for  col- 
lection, to  Henry  Gardiner  of  Stowe,  and  his  receipt  should 
be  as  good  as  the  receipt  of  Harrison  Gray,  late  treasurer. 

Voted  that  a  detached  company  of  minute  men  shall  be 
held  bound  for  nine  months  from  the  time  of  their  enlist- 
ment. At  this  time  they  established  the  amount  of  wages 
for  officers  and  soldiers,  and  voted  to  borrow  money  for 
the  purpose  of  paying  the  company.  The  money  was  bor- 
rowed in  small  sums  of  the  inhabitants. 

Thus  far  opposition  had  consisted  principally  in  speeches 
and  resolves  ;  henceforth  we  shall  see  how  the  doings  of 
(he  town  corresponded  therewith. 


CHAP.  VII.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAftl.  67 

May,  1775.  Voted  to  raise  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men  in  the  parishes,  ready  to  march  on  an  alarm,  to  be 
raised  by  the  several  militia  officers  in  town.  The  minute 
men  shall  assemble  next  Thursday  on  the  common,  to  choose 
their  officers,  and  for  two  months  to  assemble  three  half 
days  in  the  week  to  learn  their  duty.  The  privates  in  the 
two  companies  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  four  shillings  per 
day  while  in  actual  service.  Committees  were  appointed 
to  procure  ammunition  and  guns,  to  establish  night  watches 
and  cause  the  great  gun  of  king  Philip's  day  "  to  be 
swung." 

May  27,  1776.  In  the  warrant  for  the  March  meeting 
of  this  year,  an  article  was  inserted  in  these  words.  "  To 
know  the  minds  of  the  town  about  coming  into  a  state  of 
independency."  The  subject  thus  proposed  for  considera- 
tion was  postponed  at  several  succeeding  meetings,  to  this 
time,  when  the  town  unanimously  voted  that  if  the  honor- 
able congress  shall  declare  the  colonies  independent  of 
Great  Britain,  the  inhabitants  will  solemnly  engage  to  sup- 
port it  in  that  measure  with  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

July,  1776.  The  towns  in  the  state  having  been  requir- 
ed to  procure  their  proportion  of  troops  in  two  levies. 
This  town  voted  a  bounty  of  seven  pounds  in  addition  to 
the  other  wages  of  the  soldiers  for  enlisting.  Seventy  men 
received  this  bounty.  A  committee  were  appointed  to 
provide  for  the  families  of  the  soldiers  in  distress.  Com- 
mittees of  safety  and  correspondence  were  chosen  this  and 
in  all  subsequent  years  of  the  war.  The  aggregate  amount 
of  services  by  soldiers  of  this  town  during  the  year  must 
have  been  equal  to  fifty-five  men,  employed  twelve  month.s 
each.  At  this  time  the  population  did  not  exceed  two 
thousand  souls.*  The  inhabitants  were  nearly  all  hus- 
bandmen, and  had  very  little  property  excepting  real  es- 
tate. 


*  The  substance  of  a  census  recorded  by  Samuel  Dexter,  Esq.,  in  176.5. 

Pariahes.  No. "of  houses.  Norof  inliabitantsT 

First  parish, lO.'j     -     - 813 


•Second  parish 43 441 

Third  parish, --  42---------    313 

Fourtli  parish,  now  Dover,      ---  49..-.-....    352 

T^{Wr~~^-"^~ 2r59 J^HT 


iJS 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHA.M. 


[chap.    Vil. 


,1  Tahlc  shewing  the  number  of  soldiers  in  Ihe  first  parish,  and  partial- 
ly paid  by  it,  collected  from  a  report  made  hj  captain  Joseph  Guild, 
and  recorded  in  the  parish  books. 


Years. 

i\o.  of 
mef). 

Time  employed. 

Wlicre  employed. 

Extra  pay  per  man. 

177^). 

22 

8  monlhs. 

In  vai-ious  places. 

2  pounds  3  shillings. 

177fi. 

I'l 

2  months. 

At  r.oxbiny. 

12  shillings. 

n-G. 

7 

12  months. 

In  Canada. 

24  pounds. 

177G. 

9 

4  months. 

At  Ticondaroga. 

10  pounds. 

177H. 

o 

I^Iarched  to  iNew  York. 

G  pounds. 

nw. 

3 

Marched  to  New  York. 

10  pounds. 

1770. 

7 

2  and  4  mon(hs. 

At  Dorchester. 

!   12  shillings. 

J77G. 

5 

At  Dorchester. 

6  .shillings. 

1776. 

2  volu 

ntcers. 

29  pounds  to  both. 

Fifty-five  soldiers  from  the  first  parish  only,  the  aggre- 
grate  of  whose  services  during  the  year  1776  were  equal 
to  twenty-two  men  employed  twelve  months  each. 

February,  1777.  The  town  voted  a  bounty  of  twenty- 
four  pounds  to  each  man  who  would  enlist  for  three  years, 
or  during  the  war.  Forty-nine  soldiers  received  this  boun- 
ty. Having  voted  bounties  to  certain  classes  of  soldiers, 
it  became  necessary  for  the  town  to  reward  all  other  men 
in  tlie  public  service,  according  to  their  respective  merit. 
The  town  attempted  to  do  this,  but  met  with  difficulty  in 
the  details.  Then  each  parish  assumed  the  business  of 
paying  such  soldiers  as  belonged  to  it.  The  parishes 
raised  the  money  by  taxes.  In  the  year  1778,  the  first  parish 
imposed  a  tax  on  its  inhabitants  for  the  above  purpose,  of 
four  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-five  pounds,  so  that 
a  corporation  organised  solely  for  religious  purposes,  be- 
came an  efficient  body  to  furnish  the  means  of  the  war. 

1778.  The  method  adopted  last  year  to  support  the 
w^ar,  was  observed  this.  The  first  parish  alone  had  thirty- 
three  men  employed  one  month  near  Boston,  seventeen 
THcn  in  other  places,  and  thirty  men  in  the  army.  The  se- 
lect men,  militia  officers,  and  special  committees,  were  au- 
thorised and  requested  to  exert  themselves  to  procure  sol- 
diers and  borrow  money.  In  January,  1778,  the  town  ap- 
proved the  articles  of  confederation  of  the  colonies.  May, 
1778.  The  inhabitants  in  town  meeting,  approved  of  the 
state  constitution  proposed  by  a  committee  of  the  provin- 
^•ial  congress,  by  a  vote  of  ninety-eight  to  thirty-one.  This 
model  of  a  state  constitution  was  rejected  by  a  large  ma- 
jority in  the  state.  The  next  year  the  town  instructed  its 
representative  to  vote  for  a  convention,  for  the  purpose  of 
proposing  a  form  of  state  government  to  the  people. 


CHAP.  VII.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAH.  G9 

May,  1779.  The  town  again  exerted  itself  to  procuic 
the  enlistment  of  soldiers.  A  vote  passed  that  the  quota 
of  men  from  each  parish,  should  be  in  proportion  to  the 
taxes  paid  by  each  parish.  Provisions  were  then  made 
for  borrowing  money  to  pay  the  soldiers. 

1780.  The  committee  which  was  appointed  last  year 
to  hire  soldiers,  reported  that  they  had  performed  that  ser- 
vice, and  had  paid  them  twelve  thousand  pounds.  The 
number  employed  was  sixty-six,  and  the  amount  of  services 
equal  to  twenty-two  men,  twelve  months  each.  During 
this  and  subsequent  years  of  the  war,  demands  were  made 
on  the  town  for  a  supply  of  beef  for  the  army.  To  meet 
this  demand,  the  town  assessed  100,000  pounds  on  the 
inhabitants,  and  8,000  pounds  more  for  the  purchase  of 
fourteen  horses  for  the  army.  The  committee  authorised 
to  hire  soldiers  this  year,  reported  that  it  could  not  be 
done.  A  small  number  however,  were  afterwards  hired, 
and  twenty-six  men  drafted  from  the  companies  to  com- 
plete the  number  required.  Great  difficulties  arose  in  col- 
lecting the  taxes,  on  account  of  the  fluctuation  of  the  cur- 
rency. The  town  ordered  a  table  of  depreciation  to  be 
made,  and  that  the  taxes  should  be  collected  in  hard  mo- 
ney agreeably  to  it.  The  credit  of  the  town  was  so  bad, 
or  money  so  scarce,  that  the  town  was  obliged  to  stipulate 
with  their  contractor  for  beef,  that  it  would  pay  him  twen- 
ty per  cent,  in  addition  to  the  price  of  the  beef,  if  it  fail- 
ed to  pay  at  the  time  agreed  on.  It  likewise  voted  to  make 
a  deduction  of  two  shillings  in  the  pound,  to  persons  who 
made  prompt  payment  of  their  taxes. 

TVar  taxes. — Bringing  into  view  the  taxes  assessed  by  the 
town  and  parishes  during  the  war,  and  the  sums  borrowed, 
the  annual  expenditures  may  be  estimated  at  eight  thous- 
and dollars  in  our  present  currency.  All  estimates  how- 
ever of  this  kind,  are  liable  to  great  doubts,  on  account  of 
the  fluctuation  in  the  value  of  the  paper  money  then  current. 
The  nominal  amount  of  the  expenditures  very  imperfectly 
denotes  the  weight  of  the  burden.  Before  the  war,  the 
taxes  for  the  support  of  government,  were  comparatively 
small,  and  seem  to  have  been  increased  eight  or  ten  times 
by  it.  The  pecuniary  distress  of  this  town  at  the  present 
time,  would  not  be  so  great  as  that  in  1780,  should  its  an- 
nual taxes  be  increased  to  sixty  thousand  dollars.     The 


70  HISTORF  OF  I>EDHAM.  [chap.  vii. 

inhabitants  were  nearly  all  husbandmen  ;  they  had  little 
money.  The  sums  borrowed  being  nearly  all  of  them  quite 
small,  varying  from  one  to  ten  pounds,  shows  clearly  the 
great  scarcity  of  money.  That  the  war  had  exhausted  their 
means  of  paying,  seems  quite  manifest,  for  notwithstanding 
their  strong  attachment  to  the  cause  which  they  support- 
ed, they  at  last  complained  to  the  general  court,  that  their 
burdens  were  so  great  that  unless  they  could  be  diminish- 
ed, many  would  be  under  the  necessity  of  removing  out  of 
the  town. 

In  the  common  cause,  the  people  in  the  town  acted  and 
suffered  with  great  unanimity ;  and  in  the  same  proportion, 
that  they  felt  indignation  against  the  enemy,  did  they  pos- 
sess kindness  for  their  own  friends.  As  the  strong  current 
of  popular  feeling  ran  all  one  way,  there  was  a  smooth 
surface  on  the  public  proceedings  of  the  town.  The 
gravest  and  most  able  men,  assumed  their  proper  stations 
in  society  ;  neither  the  records,  nor  tradition  have  trans- 
mitted the  knowledge  of  any  event  which  proves  the  least 
disorder  by  reason  of  debate  or  contrariety  of  opinion,  ex- 
cept in  the  following  instance. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  there  resided 
in  Dedham,  the  Rev.  William  Clark,  the  episcopal  minis- 
ter of  a  very  small  society,  composed  of  individuals  in 
Dedham  and  Stoughton,  living  on  a  salary  of  fifty  pounds, 
twenty  of  which  was  paid  to  him  by  the  society  in  England, 
ibr  propagating  religion  in  foreign  parts.  Soon  was  his 
little  flock  driven  from  their  humble  church,  standing  on  a 
place  about  sixty  rods  south  of  the  new  court  house,  which 
was  afterwards  used  for  a  store  house  for  the  soldiers.  Mr. 
Clark  then  repaired  to  a  dwelling  house,  and  there  secret- 
ly performed  the  services  of  his  religion.  He  carefully 
abstained  from  all  political  discussions  or  affairs.  In  the 
spring  of  1777,  two  loyalists  in  their  distresses  fleeing 
from  the  people  who  persecuted  them,  asked  of  Mr.  Clark, 
information  of  a  place,  to  which  they  might  flee  for  an 
asylum.  This  request  he  so  far  complied  with,  that  he 
gave  to  the  loyalists  a  recommendation  directed  to  persons 
in  another  county.  For  this  a  prosecution  was  brought 
against  him.  The  town  committee  first  reported  that  he 
and  two  other  persons  of  his  flock,  were  enemies  to  their 
country,  and  were  recorded  as  such  in  the  town  records. 
Then  a  considerable  number,  who  sought  his  condemna- 


CHAP.  VII.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  71 

tion  carried  him  by  force,  before  the  revolutionary  tribu- 
nal at  Boston,  which  had  been  appointed  to  try  all  similar 
cases.  He  was  denied  the  privilege  of  council  ;  he 
was  about  to  be  acquitted  however,  for-lie  was  not  convict- 
ed of  any  crime  excepting  that  of  giving  succour  to  a  fel- 
low man  in  distress.  He  was  required  to  swear  allegiance 
to  the  Commonwealth,  which  he  refused.  For  this  refusal 
he  was  condemned  to  be  transported  to  foreign  parts,  and 
was  immediately  confined  in  a  prison  ship  in  Boston  har- 
bour. By  means  of  his  hard  usage  and  confinement,  he 
lost  his  health,  and  in  a  great  measure  the  use  of  his 
speech.  Dr.  Ames  of  Dedham,  a  decided  whig  being  ac- 
quainted with  his  sufl'ering,  interfered  in  his  behalf,  and 
procured  his  liberty,  and  a  license  to  go  out  of  the  country. 
He  soon  went  away,  and  as  the  only  means  of  support, 
sought  and  obtained  a  pension.  Two  of  Mr.  Clark's  so- 
ciety were  recorded  as  enemies  to  the  country,  but  were 
no  further  prosecuted.  These  individuals  are  known  to 
this  generation ,  and  it  is  impossible  to  believe  that  the 
public  safety  required  any  proceedings  against  them. 
Mr.  Clark,  was  a  peaceable  and  humble  man  devoted  to 
his  profession  ;  he  had  no  party  to  support  him.  The  stones 
directed  against  the  windows  of  his  church,  the  frequent 
insults  he  met  abroad,  had  early  admonished  him  of  his 
danger  among  the  resolute  sons  of  liberty  ;  he  was  there- 
fore cautious  and  retired.  So  it  is  while  a  society  is  agi- 
tated with  the  most  magnanimous  resolution  to  defend  their 
liberties,  some  will  ever  be  so  misguided,  that  they  will, 
under  the  pretext  of  supporting  their  rights,  wickedly  vio- 
late the  liberty  of  others.  Mr.  Clark  was  an  episcopalian. 
Did  any  of  his  persecutors  cherish  a  vague  hope  that  if  the 
minister  was  ignominiously  driven  away,  the  inheritance 
of  his  church,  the  Colburn  estate,  might  become  the  in- 
heritance of  others  ?*  This  I  should  not  dare  to  affirm. 
But  I  may  be  pardoned  for  saying  it  seems  to  be  heresy 
rather  than  treason  for  which  he  suffered  ;  as  one  other 
gentleman  whose  abilities  and  influence,  made  him  more 
dangerous  to  liberty,  escaped  prosecution.  During  the 
revolution,  there  were  many  substantial  and  influential 
men  here  who  regulated  the  measures  adopted  by  the  town. 


*  Did  any  one  ever  ask  himself  the  question,  has  not  tha  immediate  successor  of 
Mr.  Clark,  a^•ellgcd  his  wrongs  ? 


72  IILSTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [(jiiap.  vii. 

When  all  behaved  nell,  it  may  be  difficult,  and  it  may  be 
unjust  to  select  a  few  for  notice,  and  neglect  others  equal- 
ly meritorious.  The  Hon.  Samuel  Dexter,  however,  de- 
serves to  be  honourably  mentioned  among  men  of  the 
revolutionary  age.  This  gentlemen  was  the  son  of  the 
former  minister  of  Dedham,  of  that  name,  and  the  father 
of  the  late  Samuel  Dexter,  the  celebrated  advocate  and 
civilian.  It  was  his  father's  wish  that  he  should  become  a 
minister.  He  had  while  a  youth,  a  taste  for  theology,  but 
he  acquired  a  dislike  to  the  profession,  principally  it  is 
said,  by  means  of  the  calvinistic  doctrines  of  his  father. 
He  was  early  in  life  established  as  a  merchant  in  Boston  ; 
and  while  yet  a  young  man,  had  acquired  enough  proper- 
ty to  satisfy  a  wise  man,  he  therefore  abandoned  his  lu- 
crative employment  and  retired  to  Dedham,  his  native 
town.  From  the  time  of  his  coming  to  Dedham,  in  1763, 
to  1775,  he  seems  to  have  directed  and  influenced  all  the 
public  affairs  in  the  town,  in  the  church  and  parish  to 
which  he  belonged  ;  and  did  more  in  this  important 
period,  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  community,  both  by 
his  services,  his  advice  and  his  donations,  than  any  other 
individual  since  the  days  of  Lusher,  and  Fisher.  He  was 
many  times  a  deputy  to  the  general  court.  He  sat  five 
years  in  the  provincial  congress  ;  he  had  the  honour  to  be 
negatived  as  a  councillor  several  times  by  the  royal  gov- 
ernors. He  was  appointed  a  commissioner  to  settle  the 
affairs  of  the  land  bank,  and  was  chosen  treasurer  of  the 
state  ;  this  office  he  did  not  accept.  He  was  one  of  that 
council,  whose  duty  it  was  to  assist  and  support  the  mili- 
tary operations  at  or  near  Boston,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
war.  On  that  occasion  he  maintained  that  it  was  impoli- 
tic and  hazardous  to  bring  a  large  body  of  undisciplined 
troops  near  to  the  British  army,  then  in  Boston.  The  ma- 
jority decided  otherwise.  This  advice  exposed  him  to  the 
imputation  of  being  too  timid,  and  even  to  the  whispers  of 
some  that  he  had  grown  lukewarm  in  the  cause  of  his 
country.  But  this  was  unjust,  for  he  did  much  to  support 
it ;  although  he  was  less  sanguine  and  zealous  than  some 
others.  He  retired  from  all  public  employments  when  his 
constituents  were  dissatisfied  with  his  advice,  and  could 
not  afterwards  be  persuaded,  although  much  solicited,  to 
accept  any  office.  He  soon  after  removed  to  Mendon,  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  dignified  retire- 


CHAP,  vn]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  T3 

ment,  having  a  disposition  to  be  far  away  from  the  strife 
of  the  world. 

By  his  last  will  he  gave  five  thousand  dollars  to  Har- 
vard University,  to  promote  biblical  criticism.  Mr.  Dexter 
was  at  the  commencement  of  his  public  life  somewhat  in- 
clined to  use  severe  sarcasm  on  his  opponents,  but  this  trait 
in  his  own  character  he  acknowledged,  and  lamented  as  an 
error  in  his  declining  years.  It  may  appear  that  a  proud 
spirit  influenced  him  in  retiring  from  the  councils  of  his 
country,  at  a  critical  period  of  the  revolution.  But  in  this 
transaction  when  fully  understood,  we  must  insist  that  he 
sat  a  good  example.  Instead  of  doing  as  ordinary  men 
frequently  do  on  such  occasions,  become  querulous,  fac- 
tious, and  more  eager  in  their  pursuit  for  office,  he  quietly 
retired  satisfied  with  the  conscious  integrity  of  his  own 
motives,  and  left  his  place  for  those  who  have  the  confi- 
dence of  the  public.  His  voluntary  abandonment  of 
wealth,  which  he  was  pretty  sure  of  acquiring,  and  the 
good  uses  he  made  of  what  he  did  possess,  and  his  econo- 
my and  his  liberality,  go  far  to  prove  that  he  was  a  high 
minded  and  good  man,  and  a  real  patriot.  His  taste  for 
theological  studies  continued  through  life.  He  gave  his 
attention  to  some  questions  now  much  discussed,  and  de- 
termined at  one  time  to  publish  what  he  had  written  on 
them,  but  on  further  reflection,  he  resolved  to  burn  the 
whole,  ichich  he  did.  It  is  understood  that  on  several  points 
of  theology,  he  dissented  from  the  majority  of  divines  in  A^evv 
England,*  particularly  on  the  doctrine  of  the  trinity. 

The  revolution  imposed  on  the  people  the  necessity  of 
making  a  new  state  government.  In  ordinary  times,  this 
duty  would  be  arduous  and  attended  with  much  debate. 
The  frequent  debates  of  those  times,  difliised  the  know- 
ledge of  the  fundamental  principles  of  government  exten- 
sively, and  the  people  acquired  great  self  confidence  in 
their  ability  to  form  new  constitutions. 

May,  1780.  The  town  voted  on  the  question  of  accept- 
ing the  constitution  of  the  state,  re[X)ited  by  a  previous 
convention.  The  town  gave  a  unanimous  vole  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-two  for  the  preamble  and  most  of  the  articles 
in  that  instrument.  Some  articles  were  objected  to,  and 
a  committee  of  fifteen  persons  were  chosen  to  report  amend- 


**  Monthly  Antholoe^v,  for  Jiilv,  1810. 
10 


74  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  vir. 

ments  of  the  objectionable  parts.  They  recommended  va- 
rious alterations  in  the  proposed  constitution.  They  would 
have  all  religious  denominations  equally  protected,  and  not 
all  religious  denominations  of  protestunt  christians  only,  as 
in  the  constitution.  They  would  have  the  time  during 
which  the  judges  should  hold  their  office,  seven  years  in- 
stead ofduring  good  behaviour  and  life.  They  recommend- 
ed an  exclusion  of  clergymen  from  the  house,  although  they 
had  elected  a  clergyman,  the  reverend  Jason  Haven,  to  at- 
tend the  convention,  which  made  this  cons'titution.  They 
proposed  that  the  governor's  and  judges'  salary  should  not 
be  increased  for  the  first  five  years  after  their  appointment. 
These  and  other  proposed  amendments,  were  adopted  by 
the  town,  two  persons  only  voting  against  them.  The  con- 
stitution asserted  the  principle,  that  representatives  and 
rulers  are  the  attornies  and  agents  of  the  people.  We 
shall  see  hereafter  what  construction  was  put  on  this  arti- 
cle in  the  bill  of  rights,  by  the  subsequent  practice  of  the 
town. 

Looking  back  on  that  period,  when  the  ever  memorable 
events  of  the  revolution  agitated  the  community,  we  may 
perceive  considerable  changes  in  the  manners  and  habits 
of  the  people  since  that  time,  but  these  are  subjects  which 
belong  to  more  general  histories.  I  have  no  evidence  to 
support  the  assertion  that  this  town  excelled  the  inhabitants 
of  any  other  town  by  their  exertions  or  sufferings  in  the 
common  cause.  They  united,  they  did  well,  they  caused 
all  the  non-consumption  and  non-importation  agreements 
to  be  observed  ;  they  did  all  that  seems  to  have  been  re- 
quired of  them,  which  was  nearly  all  they  could  do.  Ex- 
cepting the  case  of  Mr.  Clark  and  his  two  friends,  there 
was  only  one  other  individual  who  hesitated  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  and  he  being  a  respectable  gentleman, 
was  at  first  indulged  and  afterwards  won  by  kindness  into 
the  service  of  the  town. 


CHAP,  vni.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  75 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


An  account  of  events  from  1784  to  1826.  Practice  of  giving  instructions  to  repre- 
sentatives. A  specimen.  Votes  in  relation  to  the  insurrection  of  1786.  Ded- 
ham  becomes  the  shire  town  of  Norfolk  county.  Political  parties.  Doings  in 
relation  to  the  war  of  1812.  The  people  approve  the  war,  and  oppose  the  mea- 
sures designed  to  counteract  it.  State  convention  of  November,  1820.  Stability 
of  character.  The  influence  and  spirit  of  husbandmen  strongly  predominates. 
Condition  of  professional  men  Changes  taking  place  by  the  influence  of  villages. 
Recent  events  calculated  to  diffuse  erroneous  opinions  of  the  character  of  the  in- 
habitants. The  small  number  of  persons  found  on  the  criminal  docket.  The 
large  number  of  freeholders  proportioned  to  the  whole  population.  Their  com- 
fortable situation.  Increasing  attention  to  education,  to  moral  and  religious  in- 
struction. The  beginning  of  manufactures  and  trades.  Some  faults.  Increase 
of  paupers.  Of  intemperate  men.  Want  of  sufficient  liberality  towards  men  of 
active  and  independent  minds.    The  Ames  family. 


July  7,  1784.     Dover  district  was  incorporated,  com- 
prehending the  fourth,  or  Springfield  parish. 

During  the  revolutionary  period,  and  in  several  succeed- 
ing years,  the  town  frequently  voted  instructions  to  their 
representatives,  which  were  recorded  at  full  length.  These 
instructions  were  in  some  instances,  minute,  and  do  not  af- 
ford the  least  hint  that  the  representative  may  depart  there- 
from, on  account  of  his  conscientious  scruples,  produced 
by  a  more  full  investigation.  I  insert  an  extract  from  in- 
structions voted  in  May,  1786,  as  they  afford  a  pretty  good 
specimen  of  this  town  legislation,  and  show  the  opinions 
of  the  people  in  relation  to  important  events  of  that  time. 
"  To  JVathaniel  Kingsbury,  Esq.,  recently  chosen  representative  : 
"  We,"  says  the  record,  "  are  apprehensive  that  many 
salutary  measures  of  congress  are  defeated  for  want  of 
sufficient  power  to  carry  them  into  effect.  You  are  de- 
sired therefore  to  grant  such  additional  powers  as  may  be 
necessary.  You  are  desired  to  attempt  the  reduction  of 
ta.xes  in  the  following  manner.  First,  by  reducing  the  wa- 
ges and  salaries  of  public  officers.  Secondly,  by  lopping 
off  some  unneccs.sary  branches  in  some  departments  of  go- 
vernment. Thirdly,  by  abolishing  the  court  of  quarter 
sessions.  We  are  not  inattentive  to  the  universal  com- 
plaints against  the  practice  of  lawyers,  which  many    of  us 


"70  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAM.  Lchap.  vni- 

too  sensibly  feel.  If  they  cannot  be  effectually  regulated, 
we  then  desire  the  order  of  lawyers  to  be  totally  abolish- 
ed. You  are  desired  to  use  your  utmost  efforts  to  pro- 
cure a  division  of  the  county  ;"  and  here  are  inserted  many 
reasons  to  be  urged  in  favor  of  that  measure.  "  If  a  pro- 
ject be  brought  forward  to  relieve  us  from  our  present 
difficulties,  by  means  of  emitting  a  paper  currency,  treat 
it  with  the  most  decided  abhorrence.  Encourage  manu- 
factures, and  do  what  you  can  to  prevent  the  introduction 
of  foreign  luxuries." 

RehelJion  of  178G. — If  the  record  above  recited  evinces 
an  inclination  to  reiterate  the  complaints  of  the  disaffect- 
ed at  that  time,  another  recorded  report,  accepted  by  the 
town  in  October  following,  shows  the  wise  course  pursued 
by  the  town,  in  relation  to  that  insurrection.  In  Septem- 
ber, the  town  received  a  communication  from  Boston, 
promising  strenuous  exertions  to  support  government. 
Dedham  in  reply,  promised  similar  exertions,  and  thanked 
Boston  for  its  resolutions.  At  the  same  time  however,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  report  a  list  of  grievances. 
At  a  subsequent  town  meeting,  the  committee  reported, 
that  instead  of  renewing  complaints  at  this  time,  it  is  more 
useful  to  explain  the  causes  of  many  acknowledged  evils, 
and  suggest  their  appropriate  remedy.  The  report  pro- 
tests against  all  the  treasonable  and  riotous  proceedings, 
then  in  operation,  to  overawe  the  government.  It  con- 
demns the  proposition  of  renewing  complaints,  as.  the 
rulers  are  well  acquainted  therewith,  and  disposed  to 
remedy  them.  The  scarcity  of  cash  is  an  acknowledged 
evil,  but  the  nicest  arrangement  of  the  civil  list  cannot  be 
so  effectual  a  remedy  therefor,  as  private  economy,  indus- 
try and  frugality,  and  above  all,  the  substituting  the  man- 
ufactures and  productions  of  this  country,  for  the  frippe- 
ries and  luxuries  of  Europe.  The  town  accepted  this  re- 
port, and  resolved  again  to  support  the  constitution.  Fisher 
Ames,  Esq.  was  not  one  of  this  committee,  but  I  recognize 
his  style  herein,  and  the  sound  and  useful  advice  which  is 
given  in  the  report,  correspond  with  his  writings  on  that 
subject. 

March  26,  1793.  The  county  of  Norfolk  was  establish- 
ed, and  Dedham  became  the  shire  town.  This  event  had 
been  desired  by  the  inhabitants  for  many  years,  and  had 


CHAP.  VIII.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  77 

at  several  periods  since  the  year  1726,  been  the  subject  of 
town  votes  and  resolves.  It  was  by  them  foreseen  that  the 
local  situation  of  Dedham,  would  in  the  formation  of  a 
new  county,  give  it  a  decided  recommendation  for  the 
shire  town  ;  although  several  other  towns  were  proposed 
for  that  purpose,  particularly  Medfield,  in  which  case  se- 
veral neighbouring  towns  in  Middlesex  county  were  to  be 
united  to  this  county.  If  Dedham  by  becoming  the  seat 
of  justice,  had  some  burdens  imposed  on  it,  the  inhabitants 
cannot  with  any  propriety  complain  thereof,  since  for  a  long 
time  they  have  advocated  the  measure,  and  have  derived 
a  great  overbalancing  advantage  therefrom. 

PoUiicaJ parties. — When  political  parties  arose  in  the 
United  States,  under  the  name  o^ federalists  and  republicans, 
a  large  majority  of  the  inhabitants  became  attached  to  the 
latter  party.  This  majority,  generally  as  three  to  one,  has 
continued  to  the  present  time.  The  propensity  of  the  in- 
habitants to  support  the  measures  and  maxims  of  the  re- 
publican party,  has  at  all  times  been  strong,  and  has  been 
strongly  counteracted  by  the  other  party.  Owing  to  par- 
ticular local  causes,  party  spirit  has  assumed  in  this  town 
a  degree  of  severity,  much  above  the  ordinary  character  of 
it  in  other  places.  The  writingsof  the  late  honorable  Fish- 
er Ames,  a  native  of  Dedham,  must  be  enumerated  among 
the  causes  of  these  local  excitements.  Mr.  Ames  was  an 
eloquent  and  ardent  man,  greatly  admired  by  his  friends 
when  alive,  and  held  up  as  a  perfect  model  after  his  decease. 
He  instructed  his  political  friends  in  the  modes  of  party 
warfare,  in  a  publication  in  the  year  1799.  "  Our  govern- 
ment," says  he,  "  has  not  armies,  nor  a  hierarchy,  nor  an 
extensive  patronage.  Instead  of  these  auxiliaries  of  other 
governments,  let  it  have  the  sword  of  public  opinion  drawn 
in  its  defence,  not  only  drawn  but  whetted  by  satire  to  an 
edge,  to  hew  its  adversaries  down.  Let  jacobin  vice  be 
seen  as  a  monster,  and  let  not  a  mock  candour  pity,  till  we 
embrace  it.  Other  governments  may  stand,  though  not 
very  steadily,  if  public  opinion  be  only  neuter.  But  our 
government  has  so  little  intrinsic  energy,  that  this  soul 
of  the  republic's  soul  must  not  only  ap[)rove,  but  co-op- 
erate. The  vain,  the  timid  and  trimming  must  be  made 
by  examples,  to  sec  that  scorn  smites,  and  blasts,  and  withers 


78  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  vm. 

like  lighting,  the  knaves  that  mislead  them."*  When  these 
sharp  and  dangerous  weapons  were  put  into  the  hands  of 
his  pupils  and  disciples,  they  mutually  encouraged  each 
other  to  use  them  with  zeal  and  eniergy  upon  their  oppo- 
nents. Here  where  the  oracle  is  first  promulgated,  let  us, 
said  they,  show  our  devotion  thereto,  by  a  great  example. 
Unfortunately  for  Dedham,  there  were  men  here  who  be- 
lieved they  should  recommend  themselves  to  higher  pow- 
ers, if  they  attempted  to  blast  with  scorn,  the  prospects  of 
every  man,  who  dared  to  act  on  his  own  opinion  of  right. 
How  did  the  other  party,  the  republican  farmers,  support 
their  ground  ^  or  make  reprisals  in  this  party  contest.^  In 
this  town  they  had  no  man  to  put  forth  in  such  encoun- 
ters. They  had  not  even  a  friend  to  make  known  abroad 
how  intensely  their  political  skirmishes  were  maintained. 
Our  federal  foes  said  they  will  not  even  condescend  to 
treat  us  with  dispassionate  reason,  or  mild  expostulation, 
they  ridicule  our  pretensions  to  the  right  of  self  govern- 
ment, by  scorn  and  sarcasm.  They  endeavour  to  teach 
us  to  laugh  at  and  scorn  each  other,  and  thus  persuade 
the  many  to  yield  quietly  to  the  dictation  of  the  few.  If 
we  cannot  beat  our  opponents  at  their  chosen  game,  of 
hard  words  and  satire,  we  can  maintain  our  superiority  of 
numbers  at  the  polls.  In  this  struggle  we  need  not  the 
assistance  of  any  literary  talents  or  advocate.  Go  to  the 
polls,  and  remember  that  you  are  opposing  the  aristocrats. 
When  parties  are  maintained  by  such  means,  they  soon 
acquire  the  habit  of  treating  each  other  as  irreconcilable 
enemies,  not  as  honest  opponents  whom  they  hope  to  gain 
by  persuasion  and  fair  means.  Here  we  test  the  correct- 
ness of  that  doctrine  which  permits  the  use  of  such  means 
as  are  above  stated.  From  the  first  rise  of  parties  to  1812, 
the  struggle  in  this  town  continued  between  them  without 
much  variation  as  regards  their  relative  numbers,  or  the 
means  and  modes  of  attack.  What  was  at  first  an  honest 
difference  of  opinion,  degenerated  into  personal  dislike 
and  antipathy.  Like  that  of  York  and  Lancaster,  like 
that  of  Guelf  and  Ghibeline.  The  leading  partizans  could 
not  enjoy  good  fellowship  in  each  others  society,  any  more 
than  the  Hindoo  can  disregard  his  cast.  If  a  young  man 
came  upon  the  stage  of  life,  how  difficult  was  his  situation. 

^  A^'oiks  of  Fisher  Ames,  p.  100- 


CHAP.  Till.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  10 

If  he.  was  neutral,  he  was  condemned  agreeably  to  the 
spirit  of  the  Greek  law,  for  indifference  in  not  having  any 
principles.  If  he  became  a  federalist,  then  he  was  sus- 
pected of  all  their  errors.  If  he  united  with  the  party  sup- 
porting the  republican  administration,  then  another  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  community  treated  him  as  one 
tainted  with  all  the  vices  of  jacobinism.  Suppose  that 
this  young  man  by  his  education,  or  his  talents,  gave  some 
promise  that  he  would  exercise  some  influence  in  society, 
then  while  his  open  and  inexperienced  mind  leads  him  to 
suppose  that  virtue  and  industry  alone  will  insure  him  re- 
spect, corrupted  and  veteran  partizans  in  the  opposite 
ranks  united  to  break  him  down,  by  whispering  in  every 
circle,  that  the  object  of  their  fears  was  weak,  or  foolish, 
or  dishonest ;  or  to  explain  it  better  in  the  text  of  politi- 
cal parties,  they  endeavored  to  blast  him  with  scorn.  In 
such  a  contest,  the  timid,  the  selfish,  the  trimming,  the 
man  of  two  faces,  escapes  or  is  elevated,  and  the  honest, 
the  independent,  the  really  honorable  man,  is  the  first  ob- 
ject of  attack,  and  is  most  usually  trampled  down  and  his 
wrongs  forgotten,  and  even  his  friends  taught  to  despise 
him.  If  a  man  like  Cowper,  or  Gibbon,  or  Milton,  should 
accidentally  find  himself  seated  in  a  society  thus  agitated, 
he  would  flee  from  it  as  from  a  pestilence.  The  peculiar 
effect  of  these  party  struggles,  is  fully  perceived  in  another 
feature  of  society  in  this  town.  In  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  respectable  towns  in  the  commonwealth,  the  shire 
of  the  county,  where  there  are  now  eighteen  profes- 
sional gentlemen,  where  it  might  be  expected  that  culti- 
vated talents  would  be  sometimes  employed  in  the  nume- 
rous annual  offices  within  the  power  of  the  people  to  be- 
stow, not  any  one  of  the  professions,  in  late  years,  have 
been  found  worthy  of  public  employment.  The  few  trifl- 
ing exceptions  to  the  above  statement,  only  shows  how 
strong  is  the  policy  of  exclusion.  From  past  experience, 
the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  have  insensibly  acquired  an 
opinion  that  the  high  gifts  of  writing  and  speaking,  which 
they  have  witnessed  in  one  of  their  own  townsmen,  is  not 
usually  accompanied  by  a  sound  judgment  and  practical 
wisdom,  but  will  if  opportunity  be  given,  be  employed  to 
their  injury.  Thus  has  genius,  by  an  unfortunate  direc- 
tion of  its  powers,  contributed  to  take  away  all  opportuni- 
ties for  its  proper  exercise  in  the  line    of  public  services. 


80  HISTORY  OF  DEDI1A3I.  [uiAr.  viu. 

The  war  in  1812,  by  adding  new  causes  of  excitement, 
gave  to  party  spirit  every  where  a  more  severe  character. 
In  July,  1812,  Dedham  voted  that  every  drafted  mihtia 
man  of  this  town,  should  receive  from  its  treasury  a  sum 
sufficient  to  make  his  wages  fifteen  dollars  per  month  while 
in  actual  service.  Soldiers  for  the  army  were  here  re- 
cruited and  drilled.  In  August,  five  hundred  delegates 
from  the  towns  in  the  county  assembled  at  Dedham,  and 
expressed  their  approbation  of  the  war,  and  their  resolu- 
tion to  support  government  in  prosecuting  it.  To  those 
who  believed  the  war  unnecessary  and  unjust,  these  things 
were  peculiarly  obnoxious.  It  is  difficult  in  this  calm 
state  of  society,  although  we  live  so  near  the  time,  fully  to 
comprehend  the  motives  and  doings  of  men  who  were  agi- 
tated by  party  feelings  at  that  time.* 

July,  1812.  A  town  meeting  was  convened  to  act  on  a 
communication  from  Boston,  requesting  the  inhabitants  of 
Dedham  to  unite  in  measures  to  oppose  the  war.  On  this 
occasion,  Dedham  voted  as  follows  :  "  As  the  resolutions 
of  Boston,  bearing  date  the  fifteendi  day  of  June  last,  com- 
municated by  their  selectmen,  requesting  our  co-opera- 
tion in  the  measures  therein  proposed,  without  disguise, 
recommend  a  general  combination  to  resist  the  war  which 

•*  The  following  is  a  pretty  g^ood  specimen  of  the  manner  in  which  some  events 
were  treated  by  difl'erent  persons  at  that  time.  W^heii  general  Hull  surrender- 
ed his  army  at  Detroit,  in  181  >,  some  received  the  news  with  grief  and  others  with 
apparent  pleasure.  Some  viewed  it  as  a  victory  gained  over  the  republicans,  so 
on  the  other  hand,  the  triuni])h  of  our  arms  was  treated  not  only  as  a  victory  over 
the  public  enemy,  but  over  the  federalists  likewise.  Soon  after  Hull's  defeat,  fol- 
lowed another  unfortunate  affair  at  Queenstown,  on  the  Canada  frontier.  When 
the  news  of  this  last  event  reached  Dedham,  it  renewed  still  stronger  emotions  of 
party  feeling.  At  the  moment  when  the  bad  news  arrived,  a  citizen  somewhat  ar- 
dent in  his  approbation  of  the  war,  accidentally  entered  a  tavern  in  the  village, 
when  several  of  the  opposite  party  came  up  to  him,  one  of  them  exclaiming,  "  Here 
Mr.  democrat,  pointing  to  the  news  in  the  paper,  see  what  brave  fellows  there  are 
in  your  republican  armies  !!  Not  liking  such  salutations,  he  retreated  quickly,  and 
■went  into  a  neighboring  store  to  learn  more  definitely  the  extent  of  the  disaster,  for 
different  papers  gave  quite  different  account  of  battles.  He  was  no  sooner  in  the 
store  than  another  neighbor  is  there,  who  saluted  him  with  great  animation  and  a 
brandished  paper.  How  many  more  such  victories  as  these,  savs  he,  must  Madi- 
son's army  gain  before  all  Canada  is  taken  !  The  afflicted  democrat  finding  that 
there  was  a  party  to  exult  in  all  the  stores  and  taverns  in  the  village,  slipped  away 
to  his  boarding  house,  where  he  joined  a  party  of  girls  and  young  men  accidentally 
there,  thinking  that  he  was  then  certainly  safe  and  protected  from  further  insults. 
Vain  were  his  hopes  however,  for  no  sooner  does  an  elderly  female  of  the  family. 
a  staunch  opposer  ofthe  war,  hear  the  news,  but  she  seized  the  paper  containing  it, 
bolted  into  the  room  where  the  party  was,  and  informed  her  political  adversary 
that  she  had  a  precious  morsel  for  his  comfort,  and  then  read  aloud,  with  great  ap- 
parent satisfaction,  the  disasterous  news,  observing  as  she  retired,  "  Now,  sir.  I  am 
even  with  you  for  reading  over  to  me  that  insulting  account  of  captain  Hull's  victory 
over  the  Guerriere." 


CHAf.  Vili.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  SI 

is  just  and  necessary.  As  they  contain  statements  errone- 
ous in  point  of  fact,  disgraceful  to  freemen  when  viewed 
as  an  exhibition  of  their  spirit,  incorrect  as  opinions  of 
public  measures,  hostile  in  their  design  to  the  national 
union,  and  highly  disorganising  in  their  tendency.  The 
town  therefore  reject  with  indignation,  the  proposed  com- 
bination, and  resolve  to  support  the  government  in  prose- 
cuting the  war."  In  this  resolution,  the  town  continued 
steadfast.  When  the  Hartford  convention  was  proposed 
by  the  general  court,  one  of  its  representatives,  during  the 
debates  on  that  subject,  among  the  few  on  that  side,  pro- 
tested against  it  as  a  revolutionary  proceeding.  When  the 
amendments  of  the  United  States  constitution,  proposed  by 
that  assembly,  were  examined  in  the  Massachusetts  legis- 
lature, the  representatives  of  Dedham  recorded  their  nays 
against  them. 

When  a  state  convention  was  about  to  be  convened  in 
Boston,  November,  1820,  some  interest  was  excited  in 
town,  in  making  choice  of  delegates  to  that  body.  The 
parties  however  seem  not  to  have  had  very  definite  objects 
for  any  contest  on  that  subject.  When  the  town  was 
again  convened  to  act  on  the  amendments  proposed  by 
the  convention,  the  most  prominent  articles  were  stren- 
uously opposed,  and  rejected  by  a  nearly  unanimous  vote  ? 
the  same  articles  were  likewise  rejected  by  a  majority  of 
the  whole  people.  The  doings  of  that  assembly  were  so 
much  disapproved,  that  the  inhabitants  would  not  approve 
of  those  articles  submitted  to  them  which  were  indifferent 
or  useful,  and  to  which  no  reasonable  objection  could  be 
made. 

From  the  first  settlement  of  this  town,  the  inhabitants 
have  exhibited  great  stability  of  character.  Those  opin- 
ions and  principles  which  they  have  at  first  adopted,  they 
have  steadily  supported  and  maintained.  In  a  period  of 
one  hundred  and  ninety  years,  I  do  not  observe  an  instance 
of  a  minority  in  any  important  measure,  so  far  increasing 
its  numbers  as  to  produce  a  change  in  the  political  char- 
acter of  the  town.  In  colonial  times,  they  were  ever  op- 
posed to  royal  partizans,  of  provincial  governors  they  wore 
ever  jealous,  and  when  there  was  an  organised  opposition  to 
them  on  tliat  side.  In  the  revolution,  they  were  unwaver- 
ing and  united.  They  approved  the  constitution  of  the 
state,  and  of  the  United  States.  They  have  at  all  times  au- 
11  ^ 


82  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  vni. 

proved  of  a  republican  administration  of  them.  They  re- 
sisted the  rebellion  of  1786,  and  disapproved  of  the  op- 
position to  the  administration  of  the  federal  government 
since  ISOl.  To  some,  this  account  will  be  evidence  of  ob- 
stinacy of  temper,  toothers  it  will  be  proof  of  wisdom  and 
stability  of  character.  As  there  is  no  common  judge  to 
determine  whether  the  people  have  been  obstinately 
wrong,  or  wisely  steadfast,  it  ought  to  be  said  in  their  be- 
half, that  what  they  have  opposed,  has  ultimately  been  op- 
posed with  success  by  the  whole  country.  What  they 
have  supported  has  been  ultimately  successful  on  a  large 
scale,  and  approved  by  the  whole  people. 

In  this  town,  almost  all  the  inhabitants  until  a  recent 
period,  have  been  husbandmen,  and  owners  of  the  soil,  their 
influence  therefore  must  of  course  predominate  in  every 
thing.  The  political  writings  and  events  of  past  times, 
have  strongly  impressed  on  the  minds  of  many  influential 
men,  that  they  have  separate  interests  from  the  rest  of  the 
community,  which  cannot  be  safely  committed  to  any  re- 
presentatives belonging  to  other  classes  of  men.  Hith- 
erto a  most  efficient  organization  of  the  husbandmen  has 
caused  this  principle  to  be  strictly  regarded. 

The  candidates  for  office  belonging  to  other  classes  of 
men  have  been  successfully  opposed  for  their  supposed  er- 
rors in  opinion,  and  this  has  established  a  custom  of  con- 
fining their  suffiages  to  husbandmen.  It  has  given  the 
force  of  habit  to  the  principle  acted  on,  and  many  years 
must  elapse  before  it  will  cease  to  operate.  Other  towns 
in  the  county  have  been  governed  at  times  by  the  same  poli- 
cy, but  not  so  steadily  as  Dedham.  But  a  different  state 
of  thing's  is  about  to  arise.  Not  many  years  will  expire  be- 
fore the  influence  of  the  villages  will  be  felt,  before  hus- 
bandry will  be  of  much  less  comparative  importance;  when 
manufacturers,  traders,  professional  men  and  mechanics  will 
exercise  their  influence,  but  above  all,  when  new  maxims 
on  this  point  will  be  adopted  by  all,  because  the  interest 
of  all  will  require  it.  We  shall  not  much  longer,  it  is  to 
be  hoped,  see  that  unnatural  state  of  things,  when  the  law- 
yers and  the  magistrates  will  feel  themselves  obliged  to 
keep  aloof  from  the  celebrations  and  festivities  of  the  peo- 
ple, because  they  are  repelled  on  all  other  occasions.  A 
true  friend  of  his  country,  must  wish  that  the  yeomanry 
who  have  showed  themselves  so  worthy  of  possessing  pow- 


CHAP,  viii.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  83 

er  as  those  of  Dedham,  should  still  possess  it,  for  by  what 
other  class  of  electors  can  it  be  so  safely  exercised  ?  To  in- 
sure their  just  share  of  influence  in  all  public  measures, 
let  them  seriously  inquire  whether  it  is  not  beneficial  to 
them  to  depart  in  some  few  instances  from  that  rigid  ex- 
clusion of  past  times,  lest  a  new  combination  be  hereafter 
formed  to  exclude  them. 

This  is  the  age  in  which  little  compact  villages  begin 
to  arise  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  which  afford  any  facili- 
ties for  manufacturing  and  mechanical  employments.  Ded- 
ham has  two  places  of  this  kind,  the  court  house  village, 
and  the  mills  on  the  banks  of  Mother  Brook.  A  new  pop- 
ulation is  about  to  be  admitted  into  the  town,  which  must 
in  time  considerably  affect  its  character.  In  point  of  in- 
terest, they  will  greatly  contribute  to  the  prosperity  of  it ; 
in  moral  effect  no  evil  is  yet  perceived.  The  means  of 
subsistence  are  greatly  increased,  and  a  wider  field  is 
opened  for  the  various  talents  of  men,  and  we  can  now  per- 
ceive the  utility  of  that  policy  which  encourages  the  man- 
ufacturing establishments  of  this  country,  by  protecting 
duties. 

Professions. — ^There  are  in  this  town  four  practising  phy- 
sicians, six  clergymen,  six  lawyers,  and  two  gentlemen 
holding  judicial  offices.  The  physicians  derive  a  suffi- 
cient income  from  their  practice,  to  satisfy  all  the  reason- 
able wants  of  men  in  that  profession.  The  clergymen,  it 
may  occur  to  a  careless  observer,  are  not  all  wanted  in  a 
town  containing  twenty-five  hundred  inhabitants ;  but  it 
essentially  contributes  to  the  peace  of  this  community, 
that  there  are  three  denominations  of  christians  in  the  prin- 
ciple village.  And  besides,  how  could  public  worship  be 
celebrated  agreeably  to  the  wishes  of  all,  without  this  va- 
riety.'' All  the  clergymen  exercise  a  highly  salutary  in- 
fluence in  their  respective  societies  ;  and  their  efforts  have 
contributed  essentially  to  the  ameliorated  condition  of  our 
present  society,  and  to  the  increase  of  religious  affections. 

If  there  ever  was  one  place  in  Massachusetts  distinguish- 
ed above  all  others  for  a  combination  of  circumstances 
unfavourable  to  the  profession  of  law,  that  place  was  the 
county  of  Norfolk,  from  1781,  to  1826.  At  all  times,  and 
in  nearly  all  places,  the  people  have  viewed  the  first  es- 
tablishment of  an  attorney,  in  their  immediate  neighbour- 


S4  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  viir. 

hood  as  a  great  evil.  This  aversion  to  the  profession,  was 
felt  by  the  first  settlers,  and  has  ever  since  been  cherished 
by  numerous  addresses  to  the  people,  by  votes  of  towns, 
by  resolves  of  public  meetings,  and  by  the  frequent  severe 
criticisms  in  private  conversation.  Divines  have  at  some 
periods  added  the  influence  of  their  stations  against  it. 
And  last,  though  not  least,  may  be  added  the  misconduct  of 
some  members  of  the  profession  itself.  It  is  true  in  large 
towns  where  the  more  complex  aftairs  of  life  have  required 
the  assistance  of  lawyers,  their  usefulness  has  been  felt, 
and  acknowledged,  and  having  consequently  merchants, 
and  intelligent  friends  to  uphold  them,  the  deep  felt  and 
universal  antipathy  gradually  gave  way.  But  not  so  in  the 
country  in  general.  In  particular  it  was  not  so  in  the 
county  of  Norfolk.  Since  the  days  of  Thomas  Morton,  the 
rioter  of  Merry  Mount,  the  first  lawyer  established  in  the 
county,  to  the  present  time,  a  lawyer  has  ever  been  the 
object  of  strong  dislike.  The  towns  which  compose  the 
present  county,  having  until  a  recent  period  been  a  part 
of  Suflolk  county,  had  very  little  business  which  required 
the  aid  of  the  profession.  Consequently  it  has  happened 
that  in  this  community  of  farmers,  for  a  hundred  and  fifty 
years,  the  original  dislike  to  attornies  by  profession,  has  in- 
creased and  gradually  become  a  distinct  trait  of  charac- 
ter, transmitted  from  generation  to  generation,  by  the  in- 
fluence of  habit  and  hereditary  sympathy.  And  nothing 
in  all  that  time  has  occurred  to  counteract  it.  The  dis-  . 
contents  which  resulted  in  Shay's  rebellion  in  1TS6,  added 
a  mighty  force  to  the  sentiment  so  generally  felt  before. 
Many  towns  like  Dedham,  exhibited  a  strong  inclination 
to  unite  in  some  scheme  to  blow  up  the  whole  legal  fra- 
ternity at  once.  Shay's  rebellion  soon  passed  away,  and 
then  arose  those  unhappy  dissensions  between  Federalists 
and  Republicans,  which  in  their  consequence  vvere  still 
more  adverse  to  the  prospects  of  lawyers  in  this  county.  In 
the  high  party  times  Mr.  Ames,  the  first  lawyer  established 
in  this  town,  was  a  candidate  for  Congress  ;  and  his  oppo- 
nents did  not  fail  to  mention  that  he  was  a  lawyer,  and 
that  farmers  should  have  farmer  representatives.  The 
community  in  all  subsequent  elections,  when  there  was 
occasion  tor  it,  by  using  the  same  argument,  clearly  show- 
ed  how  powerful  they  considered  it.  In  the  phrenzy  of  the 
early  party  times,  without  much  regard  to  circumstances 


CHAP.  VIII.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHaM.  85 

or  consequences,  all  the  members  of  the  profession  joined 
that  party  which  was  the  minority  in  this  county,  and  be- 
came zealous  partizans,  and  thus  gave  their  adversaries  a 
fine  chance  to  fix  on  them  the  double  odium   of  political 
heresy  and  of  bad   practices.     Shall  I  be  pardoned,  if  I 
intimate  that   under  such  circumstances,  the  members  of 
the  bar,  ought  to  have  looked   about  them,  and   observed 
the  many  evils  and  disadvantages  they  had  to  avoid  or  en- 
counter.    The  leading  and  oldest  members,  should  have 
called  their  brethern  around  them,  and  addressed  them  in 
terms  like  these.     You  see  how  many  things  combine  to 
degrade   our  profession,  and   expose  the   brethren.     Will 
you  unite  in  a  liberal  and  necessary  policy  to  relieve  your- 
selves and  benefit  society  ;  have  we  sufficient  magnanimity 
to  retire  from  those  little  skirmishes  and  party  conflicts,  in 
which  we   must  be  most  insignificant  actors  ;  and   for  a 
time  forego  the  pleasure  of  a  public  employment .''     The 
celebrity  of  the  Suffolk  bar,  will   for  many  years  to  come 
take  from  us  the  management  of  the  few  imj)ortant  causes 
here,   the  field   for  the  exercise   of  our  professional   skill, 
will  therefore  be  limited  to  small  affairs,  and  we  shall  in 
con.sequence   of  it  have  strong  temptations  to  engage   in 
other  pursuits,   unfavourable  both   to  the  reputation  and 
harmony  of  our  profession.     If  one  member  pushes  him- 
self forward  by  soliciting  business  directly,  or  by  engaging 
in  pursuits,  the  design  and  tendency  of  which  is  to  produce 
the   same  effect  indirectly,    he   brings   reproach    on    the 
whole  profession,  and  destroys  our  union.     If  one  of  the 
profession  becomes  a  banker,  a  broker,  or  a  manufacturer, 
another  of  the   profession  may  be   compelled   to  do  the 
same  thing  from  necessity.     If  one  engage  in   many  elec- 
tioneering efforts  on  one  side,  those  of  the  opposite  party 
may  feel  it  a  duty  to  make  similar  efforts   on  the  other. 
Another  consideration  should  induce  us  not  to  engage  in 
other  pursuits  of  life,  not  allied  to  our  chosen  profession. 
A  sound  maxim  in  political  economy  asserts  that  the  wealth 
of  the  state  is  most  promoted,  by  the  greatest  practical  di- 
vision of  labour,  and  that  every  man  therefore  should,  if 
it  be  practical,  confine  his  efforts  to  a  single  employment. 
They  who  have  disregarded  this  ma.xim,   have   generally 
been  ultimately  unsuccessful.     Lawyers  in  particular  who 
have  disregarded  this  maxim,  have  at  first  been  distracted 
with  a  multiplicity  of  affairs,  then  by  pecuniary  embarrass- 


86  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  viii. 

menls,  which  expose  them  to  peculiar  temptations,  and 
lead  them  insensibly  into  crooked  paths.  The  profession 
cannot  be  a  lucrative  one  in  the  country,  and  he  who  aspires 
to  riches  by  means  of  it  forgets  the  spirit  of  his  station. 
It  is  honourable  poverty  united  with  stricf  economy,  that 
should  content  us ;  since  that  will  secure  our  real  inde- 
pendence, and  affords  us  literary  leisure.  Let  the  rich 
roll  by  in  their  carriages  !  Let  others  seek  the  crowded  halls 
of  our  legislature  ;  we  must  forego  their  honours,  that  we 
may  aspire  to  others  within  our  reach,  and  more  worthy  of 
our  ambition.  There  is  ample  room  left  us  for  the  exer- 
cise of  a  vigorous  intellect,  not  indeed  in  the  ordinary  prac- 
tise of  our  profession,  but  in  the  various  departments  of 
literature,  in  the  cultivation  of  legal  science,  in  the  nume- 
rous exercises  of  the  mind,  which  have  a  tendency  to  de- 
light or  improve  society.  As  our  young  brethren  join  us 
from  time  to  time,  fresh  from  the  groves  of  the  academy, 
animated  with  generous  and  youthful  ardour,  by  the  best 
models  of  human  excellence,  let  us  contrive  a  plan  for  the 
exercise  and  expansion  of  their  rising  virtues  in  real  life. 
Above  all  things  let  us  frown  on  that  party  spirit  which 
seeks  with  fierce  and  unrelenting  rage  to  destroy  every 
thing,  not  congenial  to  its  dark  and  malignant  temper.  If 
we  permit  the  names  of  Federalists  and  Republicans  to 
excite  unpleasant  and  uncharitable  feelings,  within  our 
fraternity,  we  may  wield  by  our  united  eflbrts  a  degrading 
influence  over  the  rights  of  conscience  and  the  freedom  of 
the  will,  but  we  shall  frighten  away  every  elegant  genius, 
or  oppress  every  generous  spirit  who  cannot  flee,  and  we 
shall  only  bring  forward  the  blustering,  the  mercenary  and 
the  cunning  man  in  small  things.  These  considerations 
so  obviously  important  to  the  profession  in  the  very  begin- 
ning of  its  establishment,  have  been  overlooked  or  disre- 
garded by  some  members  of  the  bar  in  the  county  of  Nor- 
folk, and  they  all,  the  innocent  and  the  guilty,  have  reap- 
ed the  bitter  fruits  thereof.  The  people  who  have  had 
illiberal  prejudices  or  selfish  views  against  them,  have  had 
a  plausible  excuse,  at  least  in  proscribing  a  class  of  men, 
who  when  the  hand  of  every  man  was  against  them,  were  in- 
capable of  union  among  themselves.  There  is  now  prospects 
of  abetter  state  of  things.  Past  errors  are  seen.  One  gentle- 
man has  set  a  good  example,  and  has  rendered  an  impor- 
tant service  to  his  brethren,  and  the  community  at  large, 


CHAF.  viii.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  87 

by  his  valuable  editions  of  law  books,  and  editorial  notes, 
and  his  digest  of  reports.  An  example  so  much  the 
more  to  be  valued,  as  it  was  discouraged  by  the  prevail- 
in  spirit  around  him.*  The  income  of  the  six  clergymen 
now  settled  in  this  town,  I  am  satisfied  considerably  ex- 
ceeds that  of  the  six  practising  lawyers,  and  yet  the  com- 
plaints against  high  fees  will  continue  to  be  made  against 
them. 

Recent  events  in  this  town  have  had  a  tendency  to  create 
an  opinion  abroad,  that  here  was  a  litigious  and  turbulent 
community.  Many  controversies  in  the  year  181S,  and  in 
subsequent  years,  did  exist  here.  In  these  were  disputes 
in  the  first  parish  respecting  its  funds  and  rights  in  pews, 
and  its  mode  of  taxing.  The  episcopal  church  had  many 
suits  with  its  late  incumbent,  who  resisted  an  amicable 
settlement  of  his  long  accounts.  The  Dedham  bank  in- 
vited a  public  prosecution  against  it,  by  its  irregular  prac- 
tices. All  these  things  happening  at  nearly  the  same  time, 
produced  much  excitement  here,  and  must  have  exhibited 
our  society  in  an  unfavourable  light.  Now  when  all  these 
things  are  past,  it  is  easy  to  perceive  that  a  few  litigious 
men  were  the  chief  authors  of  all  this  contention.  The 
inhabitants  must  indeed  bear  some  share  of  the  blame  in 
yielding  to  the  influence  and  councils  of  such  men,  when 
they  ought  to  have  opposed  them.  They  who  were  the 
most  active  in  advising  to  improper  measures,  and  there- 
by producing  contention  at  home,  were  likewise  the  most 
busy  in  spreading  the  tale  of  scandal  abroad,  and  some 
of  the  most  peaceable  and  worthy  men  here  were  repre- 
sented as  the  worst.  The  piincipal  authors  of  the  mis- 
chief, no  longer  possess  power  to  do  harm,  and  the  in- 
habitants are  permitted  to  refute  the  imputations  on  their 
characters  by  peaceable  and  virtuous  lives. 

I  have  examined  the  criminal  docket  in  this  county  for 
twenty  years  past.  I  do  not  find  that  any  person,  an  inhabi- 
tant of  Dedham,  has  during  that  time  been  convicted  of  any 
crime  in  tlie  supreme  court,  court  of  sessions  or  court  of 
common  pleas.  Persons  have  been  convicted  of  small  of- 
fences before  justices  of  the  peace.  There  are  two  cases 
only  recollected  of  divorces  wherein  one  of  the  parties  re- 
sided in  the  town.     The  causes  of  divorce  were  in  this  in- 

*'  Theron  Metcalf,  Esq.  of  Dedham. 


88  HISTORY  OF  DEDnA:\F.  [chap.  tiH. 

Stance,  as  in  almost  all  the  others  agitated  in  this  court, 
brutal  habits,  produced  by  intemperance.  This  is  the 
principal  cause  of  conjugal  infelicity  wherever  it  exists  in 
this  society.     Other  kinds  of  it  are  hardly  named. 

A  table  in  the  tenth  chapter  will  show  in  what  manner 
the  land  is  divided  among  the  inhabitants.  Nearly  all  the 
inhabitants  having  families,  over  thirty  years  of  age,  are 
landholders.  The  number  of  men  having  families,  who 
labour  on  farms  which  they  do  not  own,  probably  does  not 
exceed  twenty.  In  consequence  of  the  equal  division  of 
the  land,  its  nearness  to  Boston  market,  the  multiplied 
means  of  acquiring  property  in  mechanical  employments, 
in  the  manufactories,  in  the  transportation  of  goods  in  wa- 
gons between  Boston  and  Providence,  in  putting  up  pro- 
visions for  the  Boston  market,  the  inhabitants  are  a  pros- 
perous community,  and  well  supplied  with  the  comforts, 
necessaries,  and  in  some  cases,  the  luxuries  of  life. 

The  words  comforts  and  necessaries  of  life,  being  rela- 
tive terms,  may  not  convey  that  precise  information  which 
some  may  desire.  The  amount  of  what  is  actually  posses- 
sed and  enjoyed  may  be  better  known  by  description  and 
by  considering  the  amount  of  income  of  different  classes 
of  persons.  The  houses,  with  very  few  exceptions,  are 
sufficiently  large,  two  stories  high,  clapboarded  and  most 
of  them  painted,  the  inside  plastered  and  finished.  Many 
have  carpets  on  their  floors.  A  very  few  families  it  is 
believed  are  destitute  of  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  flour,  and 
all  other  articles  which  the  dairies  of  the  country  at  a  dis- 
tance, or  the  groceries  at  home  can  furnish. 

The  meat  carts,  fish  carts,  and  bread  carts,  at  proper 
times,  carry  to  every  man's  door  the  articles  which  they 
contain.  Clothing,  which  was  formerly  a  most  expensive 
article  is  now  easily  procured.  The  proceeds  of  the  la- 
bour of  one  female  in  a  cotton  manufactory  in  one  week 
will  procure  for  her  family  twelve  or  fourteen  yards  of  cot- 
ton cl(»th  ;  formerly  when  exerted  on  the  spinning  wheel, 
it  would  not  procure  more  than  one  or  two  yards.  The 
husbandman,  by  carrying  one  load  of  wood  to  market, 
with  his  own  team  can  purchase  a  barrel  of  flour  with  its 
price.  It  required  many  days  of  hard  labour,  in  former 
times,  to  produce  that  quantity  by  raising  it  from  our  hard 
and  stubborn  soil.  The  value  of  land  is  some  evidence 
of  the  advantages  of  a  husbandman.     The  price  of  good 


CHAP,  vin.]  HISTORY  OP  DEDHAM.  89 

mowing  land  in  this  town,  varies  from  fifty  to  two  hun- 
dred dollars  for  an  acre.  The  price  of  an  acre  of  rocky 
wood  land,  unfit  for  cultivation  varies  from  twelve  to  twen- 
ty dollars  after  all  the  trees  are  ®ut  oft".  The  price  de- 
notes the  income  of  land.  But  the  principal  source  of  in- 
come is  the  industry  of  the  inhabitants  which  i  stimulated 
by  every  motive  and  is  consequently  very  general. 

A  table  in  the  tenth  chapter  will  show  what  exertions 
the  inhabitants  of  this  town  have  made  at  different  times 
to  promote  the  education  of  their  children.  In  the  year 
1817,  the  town  was  indicted  for  not  keeping  a  grammar 
school,  according  to  the  provisions  of  law  then  in  force. 
The  inhabitants  were  opposed  to  that  part  of  the  law  re- 
quiring a  grammar  school,  because  in  their  opinion  it 
would  withdraw  the  means  of  supporting  more  fully  the 
common  district  schools.  There  are  now  eleven  district 
schools  in  this  town,  of  unequal  size,  which  are  sup- 
ported such  part  of  the  time  only,  as  their  portion  of  the 
school  grant  will  authorise.  Spirited  attempts  are  now 
making  to  improve  these  schools  in  the  mode  pointed  out 
by  the  law  of  182G,  relating  to  this  subject,  with  good  pros- 
pects of  success.  There  are  evidently  increasing  eftbrts 
in  the  town  to  diffuse  the  benefits  of  instruction  of  all 
kinds.  If  heretofore  many  individuals  have  viewed  the 
advantages  of  a  good  education  in  no  other  light  than  that 
of  conferring  a  dangerous  superiority  over  their  neighbours, 
such  opinions  are  not  now  entertained,  at  least  they  are 
not  publicly  avovv'cd.  If  the  inhabitants  have  not  excelled 
in  the  number  of  those  who  from  among  their  sons  have 
been  educated  at  college,  they  have  not  been  deficient  in 
this  respect.  In  the  summer  of  1825,  there  were  four  young 
gentlemen  belonging  to  the  little  village  of  Dedham,  in 
the  city  of  Paris,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  their  pro- 
fessional studies,  and  travelling  through  several  countries 
of  Europe.* 

*  Mr.  Alvai)  Fisher  wlio  has  gainrd  considerable  eolelirily  as  a  painter  of  land- 
scapes, Dr.  .lohnD.  Fislier,  Dr.  P'islier  Ames,  and  Dr.  Joiin  Richards.  Dr.  Fisli- 
er  while  visiting  those  who  had  the  small  pox  and  varioloid  diseases  at  Paris,  pro- 
cured a  French  artist  to  execute  paintings  al  tlic  bed  side  of  the  patients  under  his 
immediate  instructions,  to  illustrate  the  appearance  of  these  diseases  in  all  their 
stages.  He  is  now  engaged  in  an  attempt  to  furnish  physicians  with  a  copy  of  the 
paintings,  by  puhlisliing  a  scries  of  engravings,  which  are  afterwards  to  be  painted 
like  the  original  copies.  The  most  distinguished  physicians  have  recommended  the 
work  as  one  much  wanted,  and  one  which  must  be  greatly  usefid,  and  one  it  maj'  be 
added,  which  reflects  much  honor  on  so  young  a  man  as  |)r.  Fisher, 

12 


&0  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  tiw. 

The  young  women  here  impart  instruction  to  the  chil- 
dren in  the  Sunday  schools.  Considerable  sums  are  given 
every  year  to  support  those  societies  and  institution.? 
which  are  designed  to  diffuse  the  benefits  of  the  christian 
religion.  Surely  we  may  assert  one  thing  of  these  benevo- 
lent societies,  without  being  involved  in  the  much  disputed 
question,  whether  they  will  ever  effect  the  object  intended. 
The  community  which  contributes  liberally  to  their  sup- 
port, must  have  many  persons  of  high  excellence  and  great 
benevolence.  I  notice  the  fact  in  the  church  records,  that 
the  benevolence  of  the  christian  society  here  was  chiefly  di- 
rected towards  charitable  objects,  until  the  year  1 805.  Then 
in  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Bates,  it  began  gradually  to  run  in  a 
different  channel  and  a  far  more  copious  stream  into  the 
treasury  of  the  missionaries.  Thus  far  things  good  or  ex- 
cellent have  been  noticed.  What  is  bad  and  imperfect 
must  be  mentioned.  And  here  may  be  enumerated  among 
other  things,  a  great  increase  of  paupers,  and  of  intem- 
perate men,  a  want  of  sufficient  liberality  towards  men  of 
active  and  independent  minds. 

During  the  first  century,  it  is  probable  that  the  public 
expense  of  supporting  the  poor  was  less  than  that  of  a  sin- 
gle year  at  the  present  time.  For  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years,  no  poor  house  was  necessary.  Now  both  a  poor 
house  and  a  house  of  correction  are  requisite.  The  alarm- 
ing increase  of  expenses  for  the  support  of  the  poor,  with- 
in a  few  years,  partly  arises  it  is  believed,  from  an  injudi- 
cious method  of  supporting  them  ;  a  method  which  rather 
encourages  their  idleness  and  improvidence,  than  prevents 
them  by  suitable  employment.  When  the  town  shall  avail 
itself  of  the  good  examples  of  neighbouring  towns  on  this 
subject,  and  thereby  learn  how  to  employ  those  who  will 
not  employ  themselves,  the  present  great  expenses  maybe 
partly  avoided.* 

If  the  pay  of  overseers  and  other  items,  not  included  in 
the  last  year's  expense,  be  added,  the  whole  amount  will 
be  four  times  greater  than  that  of  1776.     The  population 

*  Expenses  of  the  poor  every  tenth  year,  from  1776  to  1826. 


1776.  Expense  of  the  poor  in  poor 

h( 

)use,  none. 

E.vpense 

out  of  the  poor 

house,  $472  83 

7785.    "    "   "   "   "   " 

"  $466  05 

" 

"  "  »   " 

"    450  t6 

1795.    "    "  "   "   "   " 

"  118  56 

" 

11  11  11   11 

272  68 

1805.    ''    "   "   "   "   " 

"  207  54 

" 

11  11  11   11 

"    639  54 

1815.    "    "   "   "   "   " 

"  914  18 

" 

11  11  11   11 

«    256  63 

j§25.    "    "   «   "   "   " 

"  959  29 

,1  11  11   11 

'•    869  40 

CKAP.  vin]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  91 

has  increased  about  one-fifth  since  that  time.  The  in- 
crease of  paupers  is  attributable  to  the  increase  of  intem- 
perance. It  is  not  known  that  in  this  respect,  Dedham  is 
worse  than  the  neighbouring  towns  ;  but  here,  and  in  all 
places  around  us,  the  evil  is  great  and  increasing,  and  who 
knows  how  soon  this  horrid  vice  may  cause  the  great  mass 
of  the  population,  to  be  a  corrupted  and  a  debased  gene- 
ration,' unworthy  and  incapable  of  enjoying  civil  liberty  ! 
The  most  rigid  execution  of  the  laws  against  intemperance, 
will  not  perhaps  eradicate  it.  Yet  the  town  has  had  much 
cause  to  regret  the  neglect  of  the  proper  authority  in  ex- 
ecuting the  laws,  since  in  some  years  the  benefit  of  a  strict 
execution  of  them  has  been  fully  perceived. 

Dedham  is  deficient  in  the  want  of  sufficient  liberality 
towards  men  of  active  and  independent  minds.     This  how- 
ever must  be  said  with  great  diffidence,  for  cotemporaries 
are  bad  judges  of  such  a  point.     To  assign  the  causes  of 
this  peculiarity  of  character,  would  lead  to  reflections 
which  may  not  be  indulged  in  this  place  ;  but  still  I  am 
required  to  say,  that  the  frequent  elections  to  the  numerous 
annual  offices,  sets  in  motion  a  great  many  men  to  obtain 
those  offices.     Among  numerous   competitors,  that  man 
has  the  worst  chance  of  success,  who  has  been  active,  in- 
dependent, and  the  proposer  of  public  measures.     Hi§  ri- 
vals can  always  find  some  measure  or  expression  or  speech 
of  such  a  man  to  be  wrong,  and  evidence  of  his  unsuitable- 
ness  for  public  employment,  whereas  a  man  of  an  opposite 
character,  who  is  careful  to  abstain  from  speech  or  action 
that  may  oflTend  his  party,  is  not  exposed  to  any  difficulties 
of  this  kind.     The   people  frequently  hear  repeated  the 
correct  political  maxim,  that  they  are  the  sovereigns  and 
lords  of  the  soil.     They  are  indeed  sovereign,  and  have 
many  favours  to  bestow,  and  there  are  consequently  many 
aspirants  for  those  favours.     There  is  another  important 
truth  which  they  very  rarely  hear  pronounced,  that  the  as- 
pirants for  office  are  pretty  much  the  same  sort  of  men 
every  where,  before  the  majesty  of  the  people,  and  before 
his  majesty  the  king,  in  a  republican  caucus,  and  in  the 
court  of  a  prince.     That  they  are  more  inclined  to  support 
the  errors  of  their  masters  than  to  oppose  them.     That  they 
are  more   inclined   to  seek  promotion  by  a  cautious  cun- 
ning reserve,    than    by  substantial    services  and   manly 
freedom. 


92  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  vni. 

Of  ilie  family  of  Ames. — Dr.  Nathaniel  Ames,  the  elder  of 
that  name,  the  celebrated  almanack  maker,  came  to  Ded- 
ham  in  the  year  1732  from  Bridge  water.  I  observe  that 
he  was  much  employed  in  town  and  parish  affairs.  He 
published  forty  almanacks  in  so  many  successive  years  ; 
the  first  when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  which  perform- 
ance, for  so  young  a  man,  is  evidence  of  an  uncommon 
genius  for  mathematics.  He  was  a  man  of  acuteness  and 
wit,  he  possessed  a  cheerful  and  amiable  temper.  Dr. 
Ames  had  the  reputation  with  some  of  being  a  real  con- 
jurer. It  is  not  certain  that  he  disclaimed  all  skill  in  as- 
trology, for  it  is  observable  that  in  his  almanack  for  the 
year  1759,  he  predicted  dire  wars  and  great  revolutions, 
which  were  to  happen  in  the  year  1762,  and  asserted 
in  the  same  almanack,  that  he  had  grounded  his  prophe- 
cy on  the  great  conjunction  of  Saturn  and  Jupiter,  which 
was  to  happen  in  1762.  Astrologers  had  for  a  long  time 
fixed  their  eyes  on  that  period,  as  big  with  new  and  re- 
markable events.  In  his  almanack  for  1763,  he  asserted 
that  astrology  had  a  philosophical  foundation,  although 
men  could  never  know  much  of  its  principles.  Is  it  strange 
then  that  he  should  have  cause  to  complain  as  he  did,  that 
the  people  required  more  information  of  an  almanack  ma- 
ker, about  future  events,  than  was  known  by  the  devil. 
He  was  the  father  of  the  late  Dr.  Nathaniel  Ames,  and  the 
late  Hon.  Fisher  Ames.  He  died  in  July,  1764.*  His  wife, 
the  mother  of  Dr.  Ames  and  Fisher  Ames,  survived  until 
the  year  1W7,  and  died  in  the  ninety-fifth  year  of  her  age. 
I  saw  her  a  few  years  before  her  decease,  then  of  a  small 
and  erect  stature,  and  affording  then  evidence  of  her  form- 
er high  spirit,  by  her  animated  motion  and  prompt  replies. 
She  was  a  descendant  of  the  first  Daniel  Fisher  of  this 


*  The  first -wife  of  Dr.  Ames  died  when  her  first  child  was  born.  Soon  after  the 
child  died  also.  She  was  seized  ofland  which  descended  to  her  from  the  family 
of  Fishers  This  land  having  descended  to  her  child,  a  question  arose  whether  it 
should  ascend  to  the  father,  as  heir  at  law  of  his  child,  contrary  to  the  rule  of  common 
law  ?  The  supreme  court  (two  judges  dissenting)  decided  that  it  did  ascend.  Dr. 
Ames,  although  the  successful  party,  expressed  his  dislike  at  the  conduct  of  the  dis- 
senting judges,  one  of  which  was  Paul  Dudley,  the  chief  justice,  by  causiug  the 
whole  court  to  be  painted  on  the  large  sign  hoard  of  his  tavern,  sitting  in  great 
state,  in  dieir  large  wigs,  each  judge  being  clearly  recognised.  An  open  book  was 
before  them,  underneath  which  was  written  "  province  lairs."  The  dissenting 
judges  were  represented  with  their  backs  turned  towards  the  book.  The  court 
hearing  of  the  sign,  sent  the  sheriff  to  bring  it  before  them.  Dr.  Ames  heard  the 
•order  given,  being  then  in  Bosion,  and  by  good  luck  and  hard  riding,  had  just  time 
enough  to  pull  down  his  sign  before  the  shenfl" arrived  at  Dedham. 


CHAP.  VIII.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAH.  93 

town,  the  patriot  of  that  name,  and  inherited  his  high  spirit 
which  she  transmitted  to  her  sons.  When  I  was  told  that 
she  had  supported  herself  by  keeping  tavern  in  the  stormy 
days  of  the  revolution,  and  that  her  two  sons  had  been  ed- 
ucated at  Cambridge,  [  imagined  that  there  was  something 
of  that  elevation  of  mind  in  her  character,  which  has  been 
so  much  admired  in  the  Roman  matron  Cornelia. 

Dr.  Nathaniel  Ames  the  younger,  always  resided  at  Ded- 
ham,  and  began  to  practice  as  a  physician  at  an  early  age. 
On  the  first  rise  of  parties  in  the  United  States,  under  the 
federal  constitution,  Dr.  Ames  became  much  interested  in 
those  discussions  in  which  the  parties  differed.  He  ad- 
hered to  the  maxims  of  the  republican  party  with  great 
constancy  to  his  last  moments.  By  doing  this,  he  was 
doomed  to  the  double  danger  of  being  strongly  opposed 
by  his  opponents,  and  weakly  supported  by  his  friends, 
which  was  the  case  with  many  professional  men  in  that 
party.  Had  his  more  fortunate  brother  in  this  respect 
been  exposed  in  early  life,  to  struggle  long  in  the  ranks  of 
a  weak  minority,  would  he  not  have  been  broken  down  by 
his  generous  struggles  to  maintain  the  right  cause  in  his 
view  of  it.''  We  may  conjecture  this  since  in  the  maturity 
of  his  fame  and  judgment,  he  was  not  sustained  by  the 
popular  will  in  public  employment.  Dr.  Ames  was  a  blunt 
man,  and  somewhat  excentric.  It  would  be  thought  from 
his  manner  of  expression,  that  he  was  more  powerfully 
influenced  by  his  passions,  than  by  a  clear  conviction 
of  the  truth  and  the  goodness  of  the  cause  which  he  sup- 
ported. He  was  too  sarcastic,  his  humour  led  him  to  use 
nicknames.  We  can  all  now  recognize  his  person,  as  he 
appeared  in  his  last  days,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years  ;  erect, 
quick  in  motion,  with  nimble  steps,  with  a  countenance  de- 
noting more  the  resolution  of  purpose  than  mildness  of 
manners,  in  his  conversation  abruptly  attacking  the  mer- 
chants, by  him  called  lobster  princes,  and  his  political  oppo- 
nents, by  him  styled  fuderadsts,  and  the  lawyers,  by  him 
called  pettifoggers,  the  ever  standing  topic  of  his  censure. 
He  did  not  much  flatter  the  lords  of  the  soil,  although  he 
delighted  to  speak  of  the  husbandmen  by  that  name,  and 
would  speak  right  boldly  for  their  cause. 

Honourable  Fisher  Ames. — The  life  of  this  gentleman  ha.*; 
been  published  with  a  collection  ©f  his  political  essays,  in 


94  JlISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  {chap.  tiii. 

one  volume.  It  is  not  necessary,  it  would  be  deemed  im- 
proper to  interfere  with  the  subjects  of  that  book.  But 
still  it  should  be  said,  that  Mr.  Ames  was  greatly  and  justly 
admired  for  his  eloquence  at  the  bar  and  in  the  congress 
of  the  United  States,  for  his  political  writings,  for  his 
ardent  and  able  support  of  measures  by  him  deemed  cor- 
rect and  necessary.  They  who  dissented  from  some  of  his 
political  opinions,  may  now  without  any  inconsistency, 
and  should  in  justice  to  his  memory,  concede  all  this  praise. 
He  commenced  the  practice  of  law  at  Dedham,  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  year  17S1.  In  May,  1788,  he  was  chosen  a 
representative  to  the  state  legislature,  and  in  the  same  year 
a  delegate  to  the  state  convention  for  ratifying  the  fede- 
ral constitution.  He  was  chosen  a  representative  to  the 
first  congress  for  Suffolk  district,  and  held  his  seat  eight 
years.  He  was  chosen  a  councillor  in  the  administration 
of  governor  Sumner,  and  afterwards  president  of  Harvard 
college,  which  ofKce  he  did  not  accept.  He  was  fond  of 
agricultural  employments,  and  by  his  example  encouraged 
his  fellow  townsmen  to  enrich  and  ornament  their  estates 
with  fruit  trees,  and  with  a  more  perfect  cultivation.  He 
died  at  Dedham,  July  4,  1808.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented 
that  difference  of  opinion  relating  to  public  measures, 
should  necessarily  have  prevented  the  inhabitants  from 
supporting  him  in  public  employments,  so  long  as  his 
health  would  have  permitted  it,  as  his  abilities  and  his  ex- 
perience would  in  the  service  of  the  state,  have  reflected 
back  a  part  of  his  own  honor  on  his  constituents.  It  would 
have  prevented  that  unhappy  precedent  in  our  history, 
which  has  contributed  to  fix  that  bias  of  the  inhabitants 
against  men  of  his  decided  character.  Of  his  political 
writings,  it  does  not  become  me  to  say  much  ;  they  have 
been  the  theme  of  praise  and  admiration  of  one  party,  and 
the  object  of  severe  and  powerful  attacks  from  another.  A 
respectable  writer  of  Mr.  Ames'  school  in  politics,  has  ex- 
pressed his  opinion  of  them  with  the  appearance  at  least  of 
impartiality.  "The  writings  of  Fisher  Ames,"sayshe,  "one 
of  the  most  accomplished  orators  that  the  eastern  states  have 
produced,  had  a  decided  influence.  They  gave  a  tone  to 
almost  all  our  newspaper  essays  for  a  long  time.  Mr. 
Ames  had  surrendered  his  mind  to  a  theory,  as  men  of 
genius  are  prone  to  do,  pursued  it  in  all  its  ramifications, 
till  judgment  was  out  of  sight.     There  was  a  settled  sys- 


CHAP,  viii]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  95 

tematic  conviction  in  his  mind,  of  an  inevitable  intrinsic 
principle  of  rapid  deterioration  in  our  institutions.  This 
produced  a  train  of  melancholy  and  gloomy  forbodings, 
which  couched  as  they  were,  in  the  most  animated  style, 
made  a  lasting  impression.  Having  taken  the  deepest  in- 
terest in  public  affairs,  when  efforts  were  made  to  involve 
our  career  in  revolutionary  France,  he  watched  the  crisis 
with  an  anxiety  almost  amounting  to  mental  agony.  The 
feelings  that  were  excited  at  that  time  imbued  all  his  ideas, 
and  led  him  into  the  great  error  of  blending  the  systems 
of  the  French  republic  and  our  confederation  together, 
though  no  two  political  systems  could  be  more  fundamen- 
tally different.  With  respect  to  the  former,  he  was  always 
right,  sometimes  prophetically  so,  with  regard  to  the  lat- 
ter, almost  invariably  wrong."* 

The  brothers  we  must  here  observe,  were  the  antipodes 
in  politics,  and  the  inquisitive  may  wish  to  know  how  two 
gentlemen  of  such  high  metal  behaved  towards  each  other, 
when  accident  brought  them  together.  If  their  former 
friends  and  neighbours  tell  me  the  truth,  they  had  frequent- 
ly reasons  to  exclaim  in  the  language  of  Cassius, 

"  Have  you  not  love  enough  to  bear  with  me, 
When  that  rash  humour  which  my  motlier  gave  me 
Makes  me  forgetful." 

In  a  history  of  Dedham,  the  names  of  these  two  persons 
could  not  be  omitted  with  propriety.  In  the  most  active 
part  of  their  lives,  they  exercised  much  influence  over 
their  respective  friends.  In  their  temper  and  manner  of 
discussing  political  subjects,  they  were  deemed  models  by 
their  pupils.  Both -possessed  a  strong  propensity  to  satire, 
both  attacked  their  opponents  with  great  severity  and 
harshness.  Their  imitators  in  this  particular  having  less 
elevation  of  motive,  and  more  misanthropy  in  their  hearts, 
attempted  to  employ  the  same  severity  and  harshness  to 
annoy  their  political  adversaries  ;  but  in  their  mouths  it 
was  sarcasm  without  genius  or  wit,  and  yet  sufficiently 
tinctured  with  malice.  In  plain  terms,  they  used  hard 
words,  ridicule  and  even  the  disdainful  toss  of  the  head, 
as  the  legitimate  means  of  party  warfare,  to  do  which 
lord  Mansfield  has  well  observed,  is  the  privilege  only  of 
vulgar  minds.     Now  they  who  contributed  much  by  their 

*  Letters  on  the  Eastern  States,  by  William  Tudor,  p.  5.!!. 


96  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  viil. 

example  and  influence  to  lead  their  fellow  townsmen  into 
such  habits  and  manners,  enjoy  the  reputation  of  being 
good  models,  and  are  represented  as  worthy  of  imitation. 
While  the  virtuous  and  peaceable  citizen  here  aiming  at 
nothing  but  the  discharge  of  his  duty  in  obeying  the  honest 
dictates  of  his  heart  is  hewn  down  by  the  edge  of  that  sar- 
casm of  which  they  sat  the  first  example.  In  past  times 
this  was  the  case.  No  unpretending  and  modest  man  was 
seen  in  any  public  employment,  unless  this  policy  of  ridi- 
culing and  insulting  him  was  resorted  to.  They  whose 
feelings  were  here  lacerated  and  wounded,  had  no  remedy 
but  were  obliged  to  suffer  in  silence,  and  have  their  repu- 
tation attacked  without  an  opportunity  to  defend  it.  But 
at  last,  when  the  spirit  of  severe  censure  from  this  quarter 
was  directed  to  a  higher  object  than  any  Dedham  man, 
and  fixed  on  the  late  president  Adams,  then  came  a  rebuke 
indeed,  the  review  of  Mr.  Ames'  work,  by  the  now  pre- 
sident of  the  United  States.  Better  is  it  then  that  some 
faithful  Boswell  should  carefully  notice  the  sayings  and 
actions  of  an  eminent  man,  whose  life  is  to  be  held  up  as 
a  model,  that  he  may  give  a  faithful  account  of  him  to  the 
world,  than  that  a  man  should  be  represented  as  uniformly 
wise,  just  and  correct  in  all  his  deportment.  Such  a  char- 
acter is  not  found  in  the  pages  of  Plutarch,  nor  in  faithful 
history,  nor  in  real  life.  Mr.  Ames  was  much  admired  in 
his  life  time.  May  not  the  community  then  reasonably  re- 
quire of  his  biographer  some  characteristical  anecdotes, 
some  details  of  manners  and  actions,  that  will  enable  it  to 
judge  for  itself?  That  dashing  and  self  sufficient  manner 
of  describing  a  character  in  a  few  seiUences,  so  common 
in  conversation,  can  never  satisfy  an  impartial  and  intelli- 
gent mind.  Besides  those  who  really  respect  the  charac- 
ter of  Mr.  Ames  as  every  ingenuous  person  must  do,  is 
desirous  of  seeing  those  things  which  elevate  him  above 
those  numerous  debaters  exhibited  to  the  public  every 
session  of  congress.  They  wish  to  see  him  at  home,  and 
observe  how  he  demeaned  himself  to  his  neighbours,  whom 
in  his  writings  he  nicknamed  jacobins.  They  inquire  with 
what  temper  did  he  deliver  his  town  meeting  speeches  ? 
In  what  social  circles  did  he  lay  aside  the  feelings  of  a 
partizan  and  indulge  in  innocent  sports  ?  In  what  depart- 
ment of  science  was  his  mind  most  employed  ?  In  what 
species  of  polite  literature  did  his  excursive  fancy  lead 


CHAP,  viii.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  97 

him?  If  no  satisfaction  can  be  given  in  these  inquiries, 
still  let  it  appear  how  far  he  excelled  in  the  humbler  du- 
ties of  promoting  the  institutions  of  society.  The  sketch 
of  Mr.  Ames'  life,  in  the  first  part  of  his  political  writings, 
may  be  considered  a  eulogy,  rather  than  a  biography,  dic- 
tated both  by  motives  of  private  friendship  and  political 
reasons,  and  in  that  view  should  be  regarded  as  an  un- 
exceptionable composition,  not  in  the  least  degree  aifect- 
cd  by  the  preceding  observations.  But  the  same  sketch, 
when  viewed  as  a  biography  of  a  distinguished  man,  may 
be  liable  to  the  above  critical  remarks. 


9S  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  ItitAP.  ix- 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Ecclesiastical  matters.  Extracts  from  the  church  records,  written  by  the  reverend 
John  Allin,  relating  to  the  gathering  the  Dedham  church.  Ordination  of  teach- 
er and  elder.  Discipline.  Ministry  of  the  reverend  William  Adams.  Minis- 
try of  the  reverend  Joseph  Belcher.  Of  the  reverend  Samuel  Dexter.  Of  the 
reverend  Jason  Haven.  Events  since  1803.  History  of  the  churches  and  min- 
istry in  the  other  parishes. 


The  following  account  is  expressed  in  the  language  of 
the  records,  so  far  as  is  consistent  with  an  abridgment  of 
them. 

The  Dedham  church  was  gathered  on  the  eighth  day  of 
the  ninth  month,  163S.  The  manner  of  it  was  on  this  wise. 
In  1636,  there  were  here  about  thirty  families,  and  about 
eight  unmarried  men.  In  1637,  we  agreed  to  meet  at  each 
other's  houses  the  fifth  day  ofeach  week,  in  order  to  discuss 
such  questions  as  tend  to  a  peaceable  civil  society,  and 
a  spiritual  communion  in  the  church  society.  All  the  in- 
habitants were  invited  to  these  meetings.  The  following 
are  some  of  the  questions  proposed  and  settled  among  us. 

May  such  as  in  judgment  of  charity,  who  look  upon 
one  another  as  christians,  assemble  and  speak  and  hear  and 
pray  and  fast  together,  being  out  of  church  order  as  we 
are  ?     Ansioered  in  the  affirmative. 

What  offices  of  love  do  christians  in  our  situation,  owe 
each  other  ^  Answer — We  owe  each  other  all  the  duties 
of  love  enjoined  by  our  religion.  To  exhort,  to  admonish 
privately,  to  communicate  and  inquire  after  the  guilt  of  per- 
sons to  mutual  edification. 

Are  christians  bound  to  join  in  church  communion!* 
Answered  affirmatively,  because  it  is  necessary  to  convey 
us  to  the  ordinances. 

W^hat  is  a  church  f  Answer — A  number  of  visible  saints 
or  believers,  who  agree  to  live  together  in  spiritual  com- 
munion, for  the  sake  of  enjoying  the  ordinances. 

Wlio  is  a  fit  rnember  for  church  communion  .''  He  who 
in  addition  to  a  good  life,  makes  an  open  profession  of  his 
faith,  and  gives  satisfactory  proof  of  the  work  of  grace  in 
his  heart. 


CHAP.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  99 

Of  a  church  covenant  ?  It  is  the  appointed  means  to 
knit  this  church  society  together. 

No  one  ought  to  be  admitted  into  the  church  until  he 
makes  a  profession  of  his  faith,  and  shows  the  work  of  grace 
in  liimself. 

We  concluded,  that  a  church  thus  gathered,  had  a  right 
to  all  the  institutions  of  the  gospel  ;  likewise  the  power  of 
the  keys  whereby  she  may  dispen.se  the  same  to  her  mem- 
bers. This  power  is  derived  from  the  church.  For  the 
keys  were  not  given  to  Peter,  as  an  apostle,  but  unto  him 
as  a  member  of  the  church,  on  the  confession  of  his  faith. 

The  ordinances  are  to  be  administered,  and  power  e.\- 
ercised,  by  church  officers,  elected  and  ordained  in  the 
name  of  Christ.  The  officers  are  pastors,  teachers,  rulers, 
deacons  and  widows.  Yet  the  church  may  depute  some 
to  exercise  gifts  to  edification,  when  she  is  not  furnished 
with  regular  officers. 

The  teaching  officer  is  to  pray,  preach  and  instruct. 
The  pastor  only  to  administer  the  seals  of  baptism  and  the 
sacraments.  The  ruling  elder  to  admonish,  ex-communi- 
cate, absolve  and  ordain.  Deacons  to  regulate  the  col- 
lections for  the  poor,  and  sing  psalms.  These  and  many 
other  questions  were  discussed  until  1638,  when  the  in- 
habitants looked  to  John  Allin,  who  had  been  invited  into 
the  town  with  a  view  to  employment  in  public  work,  to 
take  the  lead  in  forming  a  church.  Mr.  AJlin  being  qual- 
ified, by  general  consent,  for  admission  into  the  church,  he 
declared  Mr.  Ralph  VVheelock  a  suitable  candidate  for  ad- 
mission. These  admitted  the  third  person,  and  these  three 
it  was  agreed  should  admit  the  fourth  member,  but  this 
mode  of  proceeding  being  liable  to  objections,  was  aban- 
doned.* Then  we  two,  (Allin  and  Wheelock,)  invited 
eight  persons,  in  our  opinion  the  most  suitable  for  the 
church,  to  unite  with  us  in  setting  apart  a  day  of  solemn 
fasting  and  prayer,  to  prej)are  ourselves  for  laying  the  foun- 
dation of  the  church.  They  united  with  us  accordingly, 
and  we  ten  then  proceeded  thus  to  choose  church  mem- 
bers. The  company  requested  Mr.  Allin  to  absent  him- 
self from  the  room,  that  the  remaining  nine  might  elect  or 

*  Dr.  Hates,  in  a  sermon  delivered  February,  1818,  wliirh  was. pul)lis!!cd,  did 
not  notiee  llial  part  of  the  re(-ord  wliicii  stales  that  I  lie  first  method  of  admitting' 
members  was  abandoned,  liis  subsequent  account  therefore  of  its  being'  done  by  ten 
persons,  seems  to  be  incorrect. 


100  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  ix. 

reject  him.  So  each  man  in  his  turn,  went  from  the  room 
that  he  might  be  elected  or  rejected.  The  result  was,  six 
only  out  of  the  ten  were  admitted.  Edward  Allyne,  in  re- 
gard to  some  offences  given  to  some  of  the  company  in 
England,  was  desired  to  wait  until  he  could  explain.  An- 
thony Fisher,  by  his  rash  carriage  and  speeches,  savouring 
of  false  confidence,  gave  offence  to  some,  and  was  put  off 
for  further  trial.  Joseph  Kingsbury,  although  good  hopes 
were  entertained  of  him,  yet  some  in  the  company  were 
jealous  of  him,  that  he  was  too  much  addicted  to  the  world. 
Thomas  Morse  was  thought  by  the  company  so  dark  and 
unsatisfying,  as  to  the  work  of  grace,  although  innocent  in 
respect  of  men,  that  he  should  be  delayed. 

We  ten  continued  to  meet  at  the  weekly  meetings, 
sometime  longer.  Mr.  Edward  Allyne  was  admitted.  Mr. 
John  Hunting  coming  unto  us  that  summer,  was  added  un- 
to the  church.  Joseph  Kingsbury  remained  stifi'and  un- 
liumbled,  but  at  last  when  we  were  desirous  to  determine 
his  case,  the  Lord  left  him  unto  such  a  distempered  pas- 
sionate flying  out  on  one  of  the  company,  whom  the  Lord 
had  employed  to  charge  home  upon  some  injustice,  that 
wc  thought  him  unfit  for  the  church. 

Our  number  being  eight,  we  had  a  meeting  of  all  the 
inhabitants,  in  which  meeting  we  stated  our  intentions  of 
forminj;  a  church,  and  the  names  of  those  aflmitted,  and 
desired  that  if  any  one  knew  any  good  cause  why  we  should 
not  proceed,  that  he  would  come  forth  and  declare  it.  Ob- 
jections were  again  made  against  several  persons,  but  were 
cleared  up  to  our  satisfaction.  We  then  had  frequent 
meetings  to  form  a  church  covenant.  The  names  of  the 
eight  members  are  John  Alhn,  Ralph  Wheelock,  Edward 
Allyne,  John  Leuson.  John  Frayre,  John  Hunting,  Eleazer 
Lusher  and  Robert  Hinsdale. 

Having  thus  prepared  the  way  for  entering  into  church 
convenant  we  appointed  a  day  for  that  purpose.  We  then 
sent  letters  to  the  magistrates  and  churches,  giving  them 
notice  of  our  intention,  and  requesting  the  countenance 
and  encouragement  of  both  magistrates  and  churches. 

By  an  answer  from  the  governor,  we  learned  that  no 
church  should  be  gathered  without  the  advice  of  other 
churches,  and  consent  of  the  magistrates.  This  ive  con- 
ceived might  be  prejudicial  to  the  liberty  of  God's  people,  and 
:some  seeds  of  usurpation  upon  the    liberties  of  the   gospel. 


CHAP,  ix.)  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  101 

Whereupon  we  called  on  the  governor  for  an  explanation. 
The  governor  then  informed  us  that  there  was  no  intent  to 
abridge  our  liberties  in  gathering  a  church  privately,  as 
if  it  were  unlawful,  or  as  if  such  a  church  was  not  a  true 
church,  and  righly  gathered,  but  the  design  of  the  law.  was, 
that  if  any  people  of  unsound  judgment  or  erroneous  way, 
should  privately  set  up  a  church,  the  commonwealth  would 
not  so  approve  them  as  to  communicate  the  freedom  and 
privileges  they  did  to  others.     This  answer  satisfied  us ! 

In  the  letters  we  sent  to  the  churches,  their  presence 
and  spiritual  help  was  requested.  We  agreed  that  the 
day  appointed  should  be  spent  in  solemn  prayer  and  fast- 
ing. Mr.  Wheelock  was  to  pray,  then  Mr.  Allin  ;  and  Mr. 
Allin  by  way  of  exercising  gifts,  spoke  to  the  assembly. 
Then  each  of  the  eight  persons  made  a  public  profession 
of  his  qualification  as  to  faith  and  grace.  Then  Mr.  Allin 
addressed  the  churches,  and  desired  them  to  speak  plainly 
and  faithfully  their  opinion  of  what  they  saw  and  heard. 
The  elders  of  other  churches  then  conferred  together;  af- 
terwards Mr.  Mather,  of  Dorchester,  said  they  saw  nothing 
that  should  move  us  to  desist,  and  gave  us  some  loving  ex- 
hortations. After  this,  Mr.  Allin  dismissed  the  assembly, 
and  then  the  elders  gave  each  other  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship in  token  of  loving  acceptation  of  us  into  communion. 

Soon  after  the  church  was  thus  formed,  several  desired 
to  join  us,  but  considering  the  Lord  Jesus  had  committed 
unto  us  the  keys  of  his  kingdom,  to  open  and  shut  the 
doors  in  his  name,  and  knowing  of  how  much  importance 
it  is  to  proceed  with  caution  in  our  great  weakness  and  in- 
experience, in  founding  a  pure  church,  we  spent  all  the 
winter  in  inquiring  into  their  qualifications.  Several  were 
admitted  in  the  spring. 

After  nearly  two  years  trial  of  the  gifts  and  graces  of 
each  person  in  the  church,  John  Allin  was  selected  as  the 
leading  church  oflScer.  He  was  chosen  into  the  teaching- 
office,  but  whether  pastor  or  teacher  was  to  be  his  title, 
was  not  easily  determined.  On  this  point  the  advice  of  the 
churches  was  requested,  which  answered  that  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  indifference.  Thereupon  John  Allin  assumed  the 
title  of  pastor  elect. 

The  next  thing  in  order,  was  to  choose  one  or  more  rul- 
ing elder.  After  much  inquiry  into  the  characters  of  se- 
veral candidates,  John  Hunting  was  chosen  into  that  of- 


102  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAM.  [chap.  it. 

fice.  Mr.  Wheelock  was  thought  of,  before  Mr.  Hunting 
came  a/nong  us.  He  was  disappointed  by  the  choice,  but 
bore  his  disappointment  with  christian  meekness. 

We  appointed  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  the  second 
month,  1639,  for  the  ordination  of  pastor  and  elder.  The 
power  of  election  was  allowed  to  be  in  the  church,  yet 
for  the  act  of  ordination,  some  desired  to  hear  that  matter 
discussed.  We  soon  however  all  agreed  that  every  particu- 
lar church  doth  depend  immediately  on  Christ,  as  the  head 
thereof,  from  whom  the  church  receives  all  power  of  juris- 
diction. That  as  there  are  no  footsteps  in  the  gospel,  of 
the  subordinacy  of  one  church  to  another,  the  power  to  or- 
dain is  derived  solely  from  the  church  where  the  ordination 
is  to  be  had.  Letters  from  Roxbury,  confirmed  us  in  this 
opinion.  The  church  deputied  John  Allin,  Ralph  Whee- 
lock and  Edward  Allyne,  to  ordain  the  ruling  elder,  and 
agreed  that  when  ordained,  he  should  join  with  the  two 
last  named,  to  ordain  the  pastor.  We  sent  letters  to  the 
neighbouring  churches,  notifying  them  of  our  intentions, 
and  desiring  their  advice.  The  day  being  come,  we  set 
it  apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  After  prayer  by 
elder  Hunting,  the  intended  pastor  prayed,  and  then 
preached  in  the  forenoon.  In  the  afternoon  he  preached 
another  sermon.  After  that,  he  turned  to  the  congrega- 
tion and  inquired  if  any  one  knew  of  any  thing  which 
should  make  him  desist.  No  objections  being  made,  he 
then  asked  the  church  members  to  signify  their  approba- 
tion of  elder  Hunting,  by  uplifted  hands,  all  hands  being 
uplifted  ;  he  then  exhorted  the  elder  elect  to  a  faithful 
performance  of  his  duty. 

Mr.  Hunting  then  accepted  the  office.  Mr.  Allin  re- 
quested the  church  to  depute  some  persons  to  ordain  the 
elder.  Whereupon  the  church  as  before  agreed,  deputed 
John  Allin,  Edward  Allyne,  and  Ralph  Wheelock.  Then 
the  two  last  came  into  the  seat  of  the  elected  officers,  and 
they  with  John  Allin,  laid  hands  on  the  head  of  John  Hunt- 
incr,  one  repeating  these  words  of  ordination,  "  We,  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  ordain  thee,  John  Hunting, 
into  the  office  of  ruling  elder  of  this  church."  Elder 
Hunting  then,  agreeable  to  the  duties  of  his  office,  pro- 
pounded John  Allin  as  pastor.  There  was  a  general  vote 
for  him.  Then  he  accepted  the  office.  Then  John  Hunt- 
ing with  the  two  brethren,  laid  hands  on  his  head,  and  pro- 


CHAP,  ix.l  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  103 

nounced  the  words  of  ordination,  as  before  stated.  Then 
the  elders  of  other  churches,  signified  their  love  and  ap- 
probation of  the  proceedings,  by  giving  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship  to  each  officer. 

The  next  Sunday  after  this  ordination,  Mr.  Allin  cele- 
brated the  Lord's  supper,  by  calling  all  the  members 
around  a  table,  where  he  prayed  and  exhorted  the  breth- 
ren to  make  a  confession  of  sins,  and  when  all  had  taken 
the  elements,  he  dismissed  them. 

I  have  thus  somewhat  minutely,  stated  all  the  material 
parts  of  Mr.  Allin's  record,  because  he  was  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  principles  and  discipline  of  the  congregation- 
al churches  in  their  origin.  He  wrote  a  book  on  the  sub- 
ject, highly  approved  by  the  clergy,  and  was  deemed  wor- 
thy to  instruct  that  ecclesiastical  council  which  establish- 
ed the  Cambridge  platform,  by  being  appointed  to  preach 
before  it. 

Mr.  Allin's  church  continued  in  great  harmony  all  his 
life  time,  and  afforded  good  evidence  that  his  efforts  to  es- 
tablish a  pure  church,  if  not  entirely  successful,  were  yet 
as  much  so  perhaps  as  human  nature  will  permit.  •  The 
practice  of  requiring  men  and  women  to  make  a  public  pro- 
fession of  their  faith  and  grace,  before  the  whole  congre- 
gation, was  attended  with  some  inconveniences.  For  not 
every  person  who  possessed  all  the  christian  virtues,  had 
confidence  to  make  a  profession  in  the  full  congregation. 
Hence  say  Mr.  Allin's  records,  "the  wife  of  our  brother 
Hinsdale  being  timid  and  not  able  to  speak  in  public,  faint- 
ed away  in  coming  into  the  church.  She  gave  good  sa- 
tisfaction in  private,  and  her  relation  was  made  for  her  in 
public,  she  assenting  thereto.  Ihe  wife  of  Joseph  Kings- 
bury appeared  to  the  church  a  tender  hearted  soul,  full  of 
fears  and  temptations,  and  was  admitted  in  the  manner 
above  related. 

We  sec  in  the  following  case,  to  what  extent  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  supposed  they  were  bound  by  their 
church  covenant. 

1641.  Our  brother  Ferdinando  Adams,  having  a  pur- 
pose to  sail  into  England,  there  to  remain  sometime  out 
of  the  watch  of  the  church,  desired  to  render  his  rea- 
sons therefor,  that  none  might  be  offended,  or  else  if  his 
reasons  were  not  weighty,  and  his  course  warrantable,  he 
was  willing  to  hear  advice  about  the  same.  The  church 
a^fter  hearing  his  reasons,  consented  to  his  departure. 


104  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  ix. 

I  see  no  instance  of  an  admonition  or  ex-communica- 
tion from  the  church  during  Mr.  Allin's  ministry.  In 
ten  years,  there  had  been  admitted  into  the  church  fifty 
males.  The  number  of  men  assembled  in  town  meeting 
that  year  at  one  time  was  seventy.  The  number  of  those 
absent,  removed,  or  deceased,  may  at  least  be  estima- 
ted at  thirty  more,  which  will  show  that  about  one  half  of 
the  men  were  then  church  members. 

John  Fairbanks  did  not  join  the  church  for  many  years, 
on  account  of  his  scruples  in  making  a  public  profession. 

Deacons  for  this  church  were  not  chosen  until  1650. 
Deacon  Chickering  delayed  sometime  to  accept  his  ap- 
pointment, on  account  of  his  affection  and  relation  to  Mr. 
Phillips  in  England  The  church  had  for  sometime  difter- 
ent  apprehensions  of  the  nature  of  the  office.  These  were 
the  causes  of  delay.  Francis  Chickering  and  Nathan  AI- 
dts  were  the  first  deacons.  The  Dedham  church  was  the 
fourteenth 'organised  in  the  Massachusetts  colony.  I  adopt 
the  arrangement  of  Mr.  Savage.  Winthrop's  journal,  vol. 
1,  p.  95. 

Robert  Hinsdale  and  John  Frayre,  of  the  first  founda- 
tion of  the  Dedham  church,  removed  to  Deerfield.  Mr. 
Wheelock  to  jMedfield.  Mr.  Timothy  Dalton,  who  was  at 
one  time  one  of  the  inhabitants,  was  afterwards  teacher  of 
the  church  at  Hampton.  Why  so  many  candidates  for  the 
ministry  came  early  to  Dedham,  is  not  known.  Mr.  Car- 
ter, afterwards  minister  of  Woburn,  was  here  several  years. 
Mr.  Henry  Phillips  lived  here,  except  when  he  was  absent 
as  a  candidate  in  other  churches.  Did  they  believe  it  a  bet- 
ter school  for  the  prophets,  than  the  agitated  churches  oi 
Salem,  Boston,  Lynn,  Watertown,  and  Weymouth  ^  Dr. 
Cotton  Mather  has  placed  Mr.  Allin  in  that  class  of  minis- 
ters who  were  ordained  and  settled  in  England.  On  vi  hat 
authority  he  does  this,  I  know  not.  If  he  had  been  or- 
dained in  England,  would  he  not  as  Mr.  Wilson  of  Charles- 
town,  and  other  ordained  ministers,  on  their  second  ordin- 
ation or  installation  here  have  done,  either  protested  that 
the  first  ordination  was  not  valid,  or  proclaimed  that  it 
was  so .''  Did  not  his  doctrine  of  ordination  exclude  him 
from  it  in  England  ? 

December  3,  1673.  The  reverend  William  Adams  was 
ordained  over  the  church.  The  inhabitants  interfered  no 
farther  therein  than  to  vote  him  a  salary   of  an  hundred 


CHAP.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  105 

pounds.  I  have  not  seen  any  church  records  kept  by  him. 
They  are  lost.  Mr.  Adams  died  on  the  seventeeth  day  of 
August,  1685.  Not  mucli  evidence  of  the  character  of 
this  minister,  has  been  transmitted  to  us,  yet  on  several 
occasions,  I  have  noticed  that  his  name  is  mentioned  in 
several  ways  in  the  town  records,  that  denote  harmony 
among  the  people,  and  great  attachment  to  their  pastor. 
In  16S2,  Mr.  Adams  began  an  elaborate  exposition  of  the 
first  epistle  of  Paul  to  the  Corinthians,  which  he  wrote  in 
a  blank  book,  the  remaining  part  of  which  was  afterwards 
used  to  record  the  votes  of  the  first  parish.  Mr.  Adams 
resided  in  Dedham  in  its  most  depressed  and  humble  situ- 
ation, excepting  several  years  after  his  decease.  The 
first  houses  imperfect  at  first,  had  in  the  course  of  time 
grown  much  worse,  and  the  people  in  the  village  were  then 
beginning  to  disperse  into  the  neighbouring  vVoods.  The 
year  before  his  ordination,  the  second  meeting  house  was 
built.  This  occasioned  some  difficulty.  It  had  a  bell. 
One  year  only  was  the  congregation  collected  by  beat  of 
drum.  Balch  received  ten  shillings  for  drumming.  Every 
man  who  hitched  his  horse's  bridle  to  the  meeting  house 
ladder,  forfeited  six  pence  to  Robert  Onion. 

After  Mr.  Adams'  death,  a  vacancy  in  the  ministry  hap- 
pened, which  has  been  noticed  in  another  place. 

In  1693,  the  reverend  Joseph  Belcher  was  ordained  over 
the  church  and  society,  both  the  church  and  town  concur- 
red in  this  measure,  and  this  concurrence  continued  to  be 
required  in  all  succeeding  ordinations  in  the  town  and  first 
parish,  until  1S18,  when  by  disagreement  between  the 
church  and  society,  it  was  determined  that  the  state  con- 
stitution had  virtually  vested  in  the  members  of  a  town  or 
parish  a  right  to  ordain  a  minister  over  the  society,  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  the  church.  Mr.  IJelchor  died 
April,  172.3,  at  Roxbury.  I  have  not  seen  any  of  his  re- 
cords.    His  reputation  as  a  clergyman  was  high. 

The  reverend  Samuel  Dexter  was  ordained  in  May,  1724, 
and  continued  in  the  ministry  here  until  his  death,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1755.  His  situation  in  the  commencement  of  his 
ministry  was  un[)leasant,  and  required  great  abilities  and 
prudence  to  render  it  successful.  He  was  here  in  what 
may  be  called  the  dark  age  of  the  town.  His  people  were 
much  scattered  in  the  woods,  badly  educated,  and  strong- 
ly inclined  to  religious  contention.  The  formation  of  new 
14 


lOG  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap,  ix, 

parishes  too,  which  happened  in  his  time,  would  naturally 
create  some  disputes.  A  large  share  of  conversation,  and 
great  attention  by  all  classes,  was  at  that  time  directed  to 
subjects  of  religion.  So  far  his  relation  to  his"  people 
would  be  more  pleasant,  and  would  perhaps  in  the  opin- 
ion of  a  pious  cleigyman,  contribute  much  to  his  happi- 
ness. But  then,  when  there  is  more  zeal  than  knowledge, 
when  the  most  active  and  restless  minds  in  the  society, 
find  no  other  subjects  for  discussion  but  theology,  and  no 
occasion  for  public  meetings  but  those  of  the  church,  for 
the  purpose  of  discipline,  then  does  the  situation  of  the  min- 
ister become  perilous.  This  was  Mr.  Dexter's  case.  Very 
soon  after  his  ordination,  church  meetings  became  frequent 
for  the  purpose  of  correcting  disorderly  members.  These 
resulted  in  an  ecclesiastical  council,  in  July,  1725.  The 
council  after  a  long  investigation,  came  to  the  determina- 
tion that  the  brethren  complained  of,  had  wronged  the 
church  "  hy  hard,  high  and  unjust  reflections,"  and  had  taken 
advantage  of  the  perplexed  state  of  the  church ;  and  for  this 
offence  should  make  a  humble  acknowledgment,  and  re- 
quest to  be  restored  on  that  condition.  This  was  compli- 
ed with  by  the  offenders,  and  by  the  church.  This  coun- 
cil afforded  matter  for  a  new  offence,  and  consequently 
for  further  admonition.  Certain  other  members  were  sup- 
posed to  be  guilty  of  giving  false  testimony  before  the 
council,  and  consequently  deserving  admonition.  It  was  a 
disputed  fact,  whether  the  accused  members  were  guilty  of 
falsehood  or  not.  After  much  discussion,  the  church  found 
itself  a  very  illy  organised  body  to  arraign,  try  and  convict 
a  member  of  this  crime,  when  there  was  contradictory 
evidence  as  to  the  fact,  and  the  matter  subsided  after  much 
discussion. 

In  1735,  the  church  suspended  a  female  from  the  church 
for  the  offence  of  evil  speaking,  reviling,  and  reproachful 
language.  She  believed  herself  much  wronged,  and  re- 
quested the  church  to  unite  with  her  in  a  mutual  council, 
which  was  refused.  An  ex-parte  council  however  was  con- 
vened at  her  house,  and  published  their  result  as  follows  : 
"  In  the  case  of  Sarah  Gay,  we  do  charitably  hope  and  sup- 
pose, that  the  first  church  in  Dedham  think  they  have  just 
cause  for  censuring  and  admonishing;  her.  but  nevertheless 
it  has  been  a  time  of  great  temptation  in  the  place,  when 
many  persons  are  misled.     We  do  hope,  upon  further  con- 


CHAP.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  1 07 

sideration,  they  will  soften  their  proceedings  towards  her, 
wherefore  we  advise  her  to  renew  her  application  for  admis- 
sion to  gospel  ordinances,  and  humbly  hope  they  will  re- 
ceive her,  and  overlook  all  that  is  passed,  exercising  mutu- 
al forgiveness,  without  requiring  a  full  confession."  She 
renewed  her  request  and  was  refused.  I  perceive  other 
complaints  against  other  brethren.  The  neighbouring 
towns  were,  it  appears,  in  a  similar  situation,  and  Mr.  Dex- 
ter was  invited  to  attend  at  Milton,  and  at  Braintree,  to 
assist  in  councils  in  those  places,  convened  for  the  pur- 
poses of  healing  difficulties.  From  these  and  numerous 
other  evidences  of  church  meetings,  and  ecclesiastical 
councils,  in  this  and  other  towns  about  this  period,  we  have 
good  ground  for  the  conjecture,  that  the  litigious  propen- 
sities of  the  community,  which  now  find  more  congenial 
objects  in  the  various  pursuits  of  men,  were  then  directed 
solely  to  church  discipline.  And  we  may  suppose  too,  that 
the  clergy  and  the  friends  of  good  order,  soon  learned 
what  the  history  of  the  christian  church  fully  teaches,  that 
ecclesiastical  councils,  and  synods,  and  church  meetings, 
to  prevent  dissensions,  are  more  likely  to  contribute  to 
these  evils,  than  affect  their  remedy.  With  these  dissen- 
tions,  Mr.  Dexter  was  painfully  affected,  but  the  latter  part 
of  his  ministry  was  calm  and  quiet.  He  was  greatly  re- 
spected by  all,  was  deemed  a  very  able  man  to  advise  other 
churches  in  difficulty,  and  was  much  employed  in  that  way. 

In  his  ministry,  1742,  the  mode  of  admitting  mem- 
bers into  the  church  was  so  far  changed,  that  the  candi- 
date for  admission  might  at  his  own  discretion,  make  a 
public  profession,  or  a  more  piivate  one  before  the  min- 
ister. 

The  New  England  psalms  were  used  in  the  church  un- 
til 1751,  when  they  were  exchanged  for  Tate  and  Brady, 
bound  in  a  volume  with  a  collection  of  Dr.  Watt's  psalms 
and  hymns.  A  record  of  Mr.  Dexter's,  denotes  that  until 
the  commencement  of  his  ministry,  the  deacons  read  the 
psalm  and  tuned  it.  October  24,  1724.  Voted  that  Mr. 
Jabez  Pond  shall  for  the  future  read  the  psalm,  and  tune 
it,  deacon  Wight  not  being  able.  Mr.  Dexter  preached 
a  century  sermon,  in  1738.  If  the  second  century  of  this 
town  be  commemorated,  should  it  not  be  on  the  first  of 
September,  1835,  for  two  hundred  years  before  that  time, 
the  settlement  began.     The    records  of  the  town  began 


108  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  ix. 

September,  1G35.  Mr.  Dexter  died  January  29,  1755. 
He  was  the  father  of  the  Hon.  Samuel  Dexter,  before  no- 
ticed. 

February  6,  1756.  The  reverend  Jason  Haven,  of  Fra- 
mingham,was  ordained  as  the  successor  of  Mr.  Dexter,  and 
continued  in  the  ministry  until  May,  1S03.  He  lived  here 
at  a  time  more  propitious  to  the  peace  of  the  church.  Po- 
litical discussions  and  revolutionary  events  strongly  at- 
tracted the  minds  of  men.  The  church  meetings  of  his 
days  were  convened  principally  to  give  instructions  for 
the  management  of  the  church  lands,  which  were  so  well 
and  so  steadily  improved  all  his  time,  that  the  ample  funds 
of  the  first  parish  at  the  present  time  afford  alone  a  good 
living.  In  gratitude  it  should  be  remembered,  that  the  fa- 
thers of  the  church,  under  their  pressing  necessities  for  a 
long  number  of  years,  suflered  these  funds  to  accumulate. 
To  the  influence  of  Mr.  Haven,  supported  by  his  deacons 
and  the  church,  does  this  praise  belong.  Mr.  Haven  was 
hearty  in  the  revolutionary  cause.  He  was  a  delegate  to 
the  convention  which  formed  the  state  constitution. 

Revolutionary  times  having  produced  a  disposition  to 
investigate  all  the  former  principles  and  opinions  of  men, 
in  politics  and  church  government,  Mr.  Haven  caused  the 
mode  of  admission  into  the  church  to  be  altered.  This 
was  done  in  1793.  The  new  method  required  the  candi- 
date to  be  propounded  to  the  congregation  by  the  minis- 
ter. If  no  objections  within  fourteen  days  were  made,  he 
was  then  of  course  admitted.  At  the  same  time  the  church 
covenant  and  creed  was  altered,  and  made  very  general  in  its 
expressions.  This  creed  had  so  few  articles,  that  all  persons 
professing  and  calling  themselves  christians,  would  assent 
to  it  without  any  objection.  The  church  had  ever  in  this 
place  required  of  its  members  guilty  of  unlawful  cohabi- 
tation before  marritige,  a  public  confession  of  that  crime, 
before  the  whole  congregation.  The  oflending  female  stood 
in  the  broad  isle  beside  the  partner  of  her  guilt.  If  they 
had  been  married,  the  declaration  of  the  man  was  silently 
assented  to  by  the  woman.  This  had  always  been  a  deli- 
cate and  difficult  subject  for  church  discipline.  The  public 
confession,  if  it  operated  as  a  corrective,  likewise  pro- 
duced merriment  with  the  profane.  I  have  seen  no  instance 
of  a  public  confession  for  this  fault,  until  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Dexter,  and  then  they  were  extremely  rare.     In  1781,  the 


cttAP.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAH.  109 

church  gave  the  confessing  parties  the  privilege  of  making 
a  private  confession  to  the  church,  in  the  room  of  a  pubhc 
confession.  In  Mr.  Haven's  ministry,  the  number  of  cases 
of  unlawful  cohabitation,  increased  to  an  alarming  degree. 
For  twenty-five  years  before  1781,  twenty-five  cases  had 
been  publicly  acknowledged  before  the  congregation,  and 
fourteen  cases  within  the  last  ten  years.  This  brought 
out  the  minister  to  preach  on  the  subject  from  the  pulpit. 
Mr.  Haven,  in  a  long  and  memorable  discourse,  sought 
out  the  cause  of  the  growing  sin,  and  suggested  the  pro- 
per remedy.  He  attributed  the  frequent  recurrence  of  the 
fault  to  the  custom  then  prevalent,  of  females  admitting 
young  men  to  their  beds,  who  sought  their  company  with 
intentions  of  marriage.  And  he  exhorted  all  to  abandon 
that  custom,  and  no  longer  expose  themselves  to  tempta- 
tions which  so  many  were  found  unable  to  resist. 

The  immediate  etfect  of  this  discourse  on  the  congre- 
gation, has  been  described  to  me,  and  was  such  as  we  must 
naturally  suppose  it  would  be.  A  grave  man,  the  beloved 
and  revered  pastor  of  the  congregation,  comes  out  sud- 
denly on  his  audience,  and  discusses  a  subject  on  which 
mirth  and  merriment  only  had  been  heard,  and  denounces 
a  favorite  custom.  The  females  blushed,  and  hung  down 
their  heads.  The  men  too  hung  down  their  heads,  and  now 
and  then  looked  out  from  under  their  fallen  eye  brows,  to 
observe  how  others  supported  the  attack.  H"  the  outward 
appearance  of  the  assembly  was  somewhat  composed,  there 
was  a  violent  internal  agitation  in  many  minds.  And  now, 
when  forty-five  years  have  expired,  the  persons  who  were 
present  at  the  delivery  of  that  sermon,  express  its  effect  by 
saying,  "  How  queerly  I  felt !"  "  What  a  time  it  was  !" 
"  This  was  close  preaching  indeed  !!"  The  custom  was 
abandoned.  The  sexes  learned  to  cultivate  the  proper 
degree  of  delicacy  in  their  intercourse,  and  instances  of  un- 
lawful cohabitation  in  this  town  since  that  time  have  been 
extremely  rare.  What  sermon  or  eloquent  address  can  be 
pointed  out,  that  has  produced  such  decidedly  good  effects. 

Mr.  Haven  frequently  assisted  at  ordinations.  In  1761, 
he  preached  the  artillery  election  sermon.  In  1766,  he 
preached  the  general  election  sermon.  In  1789,  he 
preached  the  Dudleian  lecture,  and  in  1791,  he  preached 
the  convention  sermon.  He  died  May  17,  1803,  in  the 
seventy-first  year  of  his  age.  Dr.  Prentiss  of  Mcdfield,  in 
a   funeral  discourse,   gave  him  a  high  character,  which 


110  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAxM.  [chap.  ix. 

comes  nearly  up  to  Covvper's  model  of  a  good  preacher,  and 
has  expressed  him,  "  simple,  grave,  sincere,  in  doctrine  un- 
corrupt,  in  language  plain,  and  plain  in  manner." 

The  circumstance  that  the  first  five  clergymen  have 
been  highly  praised,  without  any  notice  of  any  fault  or  de- 
fect in  the  character  of  any  one  of  them,  may  excite  suspi- 
cion that  there  has  not  been  sufficient  discrimination  be- 
tween that  eulogy  which  flows  from  friendship  and  a  love 
of  display,  and  that  just  commendation  which  rests  on  real 
merit.  If  there  be  error  in  this  respect,  it  cannot  now  be 
discovered. 

The  reverend  JoshuaBateswas  ordained  a  colleague  with 
Mr.  Haven,  March  16,  1S03,  and  was  dismissed  from  the 
ministry  over  the  parish  at  his  own  request,  February,  20, 
1818.  The  cause  of  this  request  was  his  appointment  to 
the  presidency  ofMiddlebury  college.  The  situation  of  the 
religious  society  during  his  ministry  here,  was  similar  to  that 
of  many  others  in  New  England  at  that  time,  and  well  de- 
serves to  be  calmly  reviewed,  when  facts  are  remembered 
without  the  excitement  which  they  produced.  From  the 
time  when  Mr.  Jefferson  first  became  a  candidate  for  the 
presidency,  to  the  time  of  his  retiring  from  it,  it  was  fre- 
quently objected  against  him  that  he  was  a  disbeliever  of 
the  christian  doctrines.  Notwithstanding  this  objection, 
a  large  portion  of  this  parish  supported  his  administration. 
The  objection  was  so  frequently  and  so  earnestly  reitera- 
ted, that  this  circumstance  produced  a  conviction  in  the 
minds  of  many  men,  that  political  reasons,  and  not  fear  of 
danger  to  the  interest  of  religion,  were  the  real  motives  of 
this  attack  on  the  president.  A  respectable  minority  in 
the  parish,  on  the  other  hand,  who  saw  their  neighbours 
apparently  uninfluenced  by  so  serious  a  charge,  concluded 
that  they  had  already  come  under  the  influence  of  wick- 
edness in  high  places,  and  had  acquired  a  strong  propen- 
sity to  infidelity.  The  minister  of  a  flock  thus  divided, 
would  be  in  a  critical  situation,  even  had  he  determined  to 
observe  the  strictest  neutrality  between  the  parties.  But 
Dr.  Bates  deemed  it  his  duty  to  proclaim  aloud  his  fears 
and  apprehensions  from  the  influence  of  infidelity.  He 
clearly  discovered,  in  conversation  and  in  his  pulpit,  that 
the  writings  of  one  party  had  made  a  great  impression  on 
his  mind.  It  was  the  fashion  in  those  days  to  impute  dif- 
ference of  opinion  to  improper  motives,  and  even  Dr.  Bates 


CHAP.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  Ill 

could  not  conceal  his  opinion,  that  he  thought  many  of  his 
hearers,  at  best,  but  doubtful  christians.  His  frequent  and 
explicit  definition  of  a  true  christian,  when  applied  by  his 
hearers  to  themselves,  so  clearly  excluded  them,  that  a 
large  portion  of  the  society  saw  that  their  religious  instruc- 
tor viewed  them  in  no  other  light  than  that  of  unworthy 
pretenders  to  the  christian  name.  Notwithstanding  the 
abilities,  the  prudence,  the  unexceptionable  life  and  un- 
doubted piety  of  Dr.  Bates,  sustained  him  in  the  minis- 
try, and  peace  was  maintained,  not  that  peace  which  flows 
from  harmony  of  sentiments  and  compatibility  of  religious 
sympathies,  but  that  which  arises  from  political  expedi- 
ence. In  addition  to  this  cause  of  disunion  was  another 
still  more  powerful  ;  these  times  were  pronounced  the  age 
of  infidelity.  Yet  Dr.  Bates  did  so  explain  and  enforce 
some  of  the  christian  doctrines,  that  they  always  have  ex- 
cited doubts  and  controversy,  and  probably  always  will. 
This  produced  unfriendly  criticism,  which  in  turn  exposed 
those  who  doubted,  to  the  renewed  charge  of  heresy  and 
irreligious  propensities. 

Thus  we  can  now  perceive,  in  a  calmer  moment,  that 
there  was  indeed  in  this  period  great  danger  of  irreligion 
from  great  temptations,  not  from  the  solitary  example  of  a 
single  ruler  being  an  infidel  ;  a  case  after  all,  that  was 
never  proved,  but  from  other  causes.  The  great  danger 
arose  not  from  the  writings  of  infidels,  for  very  rarely  were 
any  books  of  that  kind  read  in  this  town.  But  it  arose 
from  an  injudicious  attempt  to  stigmatize  a  popular  and  re- 
vered chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States  with  the  odi- 
ous name  of  unbeliever,  without  sufficient  evidence  for 
such  a  charge.  Secondly,  from  the  frequent  asserting  in 
an  age  of  free  inquiry,  some  of  tiie  most  difficult  doctrines 
of  the  christian  religion,  without  sufficient  care  ;  doctrines 
which  have  ever  excited  controversy.  Thirdly,  from  the 
dangerous  experiment  of  endeavouring  to  inlist  the  sin- 
cere attachments  of  christians  to  their  own  opinions  and 
customs,  in  the  cause  of  contending  political  parties.  It 
cannot  be  denied  that  these  combined  causes,  produced 
their  natural  etfects,  and  held  out  to  the  rising  generation 
many  strong  temptations,  to  doubt,  to  dispute,  and  eveti  to 
condemn  what  all  should  be  invited  by  gentle  means  to 
respect.  Dr.  Bates,  a  gentleman  every  way  worthy  of 
confidence  and  respect  by  this  operation  of  things,  lost 


112  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  m. 

mucli  of  his  influence,  and  when  he  asked  for  a  dismission, 
a  majority  heard  of  it  with  pleasure,  and  willingly  voted 
for  hiS  dismission  in  the  belief  that  a  successor  might  be  or- 
dained who  would  be  more  useful,  because  his  opinions 
would  be  more  compatible  with  their  own. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  Rev.  Alvan  Lamson  be- 
came a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  After  the  usual  delay 
he  was  on  the  thirty-first  day  of  August  1818,  elected  by 
the  parish  a  successor  to  Dr.  Bates,  by  a  majority  of  eight- 
ty-one  to  forty-four.  The  church  refused  to  concur  in  this 
election  by  a  majority  of  seventeen  to  fifteen.*  The  par- 
ish having  received  Mr.  Lamson's  acceptance  without  the 
concurrence  of  the  church,  caused  a  council  to  be  con- 
vened on  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  October  following,  for 
the  purpose  of  ordaining  him.  A  council  composed  of 
the  pastors  and  delegates  of  thirteen  churches,  met  on 
that  day  at  Dedham.  At  that  time  judge  Haven  appeared 
before  the  council  and  read  a  protest  against  any  further 
proceeding.  The  protest  was  a  lengthy  document  ex- 
plaining the  usage  of  the  churches,  and  showing  wherein 
the  proposed  ordination  would  be  a  departure  from  it.  I'he 
council  on  the  first  day  examined  evidences  in  relation  to 
the  charges  in  the  protest.  The  second  day  it  published 
its  result,  which  was  a  determination  to  proceed  in  the  or- 
dination. The  result  in  explanation  of  the  views  of  the 
council,  asserts  that  it  considered  the  ancient  usage  as 
wise  and  beneficial,  but  a  different  state  of  society,  and 
different  laws  may  be  a  sufficient  reason  for  departing 
from  it  in  some  cases,  particularly  when  it  is  believed  that 
a  strict  adherence  to  it  will  tend  to  create  or  increase  di- 
visions. The  spirit  and  end  of  the  usage,  rather  than  the 
letter  of  it,  is  to  be  consulted.  The  constitution  secures 
to  every  religious  society,  the  right  of  choosing  its  own  re- 
ligious teacher,  and  the  laws  enjoin  the  duty  of  doing  so. 
The  council  believe  that  each  body,  the  parish  and  the 

*  Although  the  vote  of  the  church  on  the  question  of  choosing- Mr.  Lamson  is  cor- 
rectly staled  above,  yet  it  should  be  further  stated  that  the  church  connected  witli 
the  parish,  have  always  maintained  that  they  had  a  majority  of  all  the  church 
members  including  those  who  voted,  and  those  who  did  not  vote  on  account  of  their 
relation  with  other  churches  not  having  been  regularly  transferred;  this  fact  was 
not  and  could  not  be  a  point  in  the  lawsuit.  It  should  be  further  stated  that  although 
the  first  parish  church  is  in  a  legal  sense  the  first  church,  and  may  be  so  called  in 
this  account,  yet  thai  portion  which  constituted  the  majoritj-  on  the  thirty-first  day 
of  August  1818,  and  which  afterwards  left  the  first  parish  have  ever  claimed  to  be 
the  first  church  in  all  ecclesiastical  proceedings,  and  is  so  styled  by  its  friends. 


CHAP.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAiM.  ,    Ho 

church  have  a  right  to  choose  a  religious  teacher.  This 
right  is  secured  to  the  parish  by  the  principles  of  congre- 
gational polity,  and  the  state  constitution,  and  when  it  de- 
cides for  itself  that  it  is  expedient  to  proceed,  without  the 
concurrence  of  the  church,  the  council  ought  not  to  deny 
their  request.  On  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  October,  Mr. 
Lamson  was  ordained  over  the  first  parish. 

The  majority  of  the  church,  including  the  two  deacons, 
and  a  minority  of  the  parish,  who  were  dissatisfied  with 
these  proceedings,  caused  another  council  to  be  convened 
at  Dedham  on  the  ISth  day  of  November  succeeding,  com- 
posed of  the  pastors  and  delegates  of  sixteen  neighbouring 
churches,  for  the  purpose  of  advising  the  persons  who 
requested  it.  This  council  sat  two  days,  reviewed  all  the 
proceedings  in  Mr.  Lamson's  ordination,  and  communica- 
ted the  result  of  their  deliberation,  a  part  of  which  is  in 
these  words.  "In  the  settlement  of  a  minister  in  the  first 
church  and  parish,  the  council  discover  in  the  measures 
pursued,  the  want  of  such  a  spirit  of  condescension,  as 
seems  best  adapted  to  produce  and  preserve  unity  and 
peace.  It  appears  that  the  parish  in  opposition  to  the 
wishes  of  the  church,  have  proceeded  to  settle  a  public 
teacher  of  religion  and  morality,  not  in  accordance  with 
the  accustomed  and  pacific  proceedings  of  congregational 
churches  in  New-England,  nor  in  the  judgment  of  this 
council,  was  this  one  of  those  cases  of  necessity,  which  in 
the  opinion  of  some  would  justify  such  a  procedure."  The 
council  gave  no  definite  advice  to  those  who  requested  it. 

The  church  united  to  the  parish  on  the  15th  day  of 
November  1S18,  elected  Mr.  Lamson  their  pastor.  Dea- 
con Fales  did  not  attend  Mr.  Lamson's  meeting  after  his  or- 
dination. November  13,  1818,  deacon  Swan  died.  March 
15,1819,  deacon  Jonathan  Richards  resigned  his  office, 
and  on  the  same  day  the  vacant  offices  were  filled  by  the 
election  of  deacon  Eliphalet  Baker  and  deacon  Luther 
Richards.  That  portion  of  the  church  which  seceded, 
claimed  to  be  the  first  church,  and  in  that  capacity  claim- 
ed the  ample  funds  which  had  been  long  accumulating. 
In  consequence  of  this  claim  a  law  suit  of  great  interest  and 
importance  arose,  in  which  the  first  Parish, and  the  church 
connected  with  it,  were  one  party,  and  the  seceding  mem- 
bers the  other,  although  the  nominal  parties  in  court  were 
the  deacons  of  the  two  churches  after  their  division.  The 
15 


114  HISTORY  OF  DEDIIAIU.  [chaf.  ix- 

principal  questions  involved  in  this  suit  u^ere  argued  at 
Dedhain,  October,  1820,  by  eminent  council,  and  the  opin- 
ion of  the  court  delivered  in  March  following,  at  Boston, 
by  the  Chief  Justice.* 

The  opinion  of  the  court  is  fortified  by  a  long  and  full 
argument,  and  decides  the  principal  question  agitated  in 
the  case,  that  where  the  majority  of  a  congregational 
church,  separate  from  the  majority  of  the  parish,  the  mem- 
besr  who  remain,  although  a  minority, constitute  the  church 
in  such  parish,  and  retain  the  rights  and  property  belong- 
ing thereto.  The  court  in  one  word  supported  the  council 
which  ordained  Mr.  Lamson,  on  the  ground  it  assumed, 
and  stated  at  much  length  the  usage  of  congregational 
churches,  its  variations  from  time  to  time,  by  alterations  of 
the  laws,  and  finally  by  the  constitution  of  the  State,  and 
the  principles  of  religious  liberty.  The  deacons  of  the 
first  church  (for  that  was  the  title  which  the  Supreme 
Court  gave  to  that  portion  which  united  with  the  parish,) 
assumed  the  same  controul  over  the  funds  that  was  exercis- 
ed by  former  deacons.  Both  parties  in  the  suit  agreed  that 
the  funds  belonged  to  the  first  church,  and  the  principal 
question  was,  which  party  constituted  the  first  church  ? 
Considerable  asperity  of  feeling  was  excited  by  these  pro- 
ceedings, but  we  live  so  near  the  time  in  which  they 
happened,  that  it  is  improper  to  inquire  who  contributed 
most  to  such  an  effect,  and  it  is  not  consistent  with  my  design, 
which  is  to  give  a  simple  narration  of  facts,  without  any 
comment  thereon.  Justice,  however,  requires  the  statement 
of  this  fact,  that  before  Mr.  Lamson  had  been  invited 
into  the  parish,  it  was  really  divided  by  religious  opinion 
and  strong  aversions,  arising  from  numerous  other  causes, 
and  that  after  he  became  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  his 
opposers  did  not  urge  any  objections  against  his  moral  or 
professional  qualifications.  The  opposition  to  him  there- 
fore arose  from  diversity  of  sentiments. 

I  have  collected  this  concise  account  from  the  pam- 
phlet containing  a  statement  of  the  proceedings  of  the  first 
council  :  judge  Haven's  pamphlet  giving  a  minute  detail 
of  some  events,  in  connection  with  the  ordination  ;  par- 
ticularly of  the  doings  of  the  second  council  ;  and  from 
the  report  of  the  lawsuit  to  which    the    reader  may    be 

*  IG  Mass.  Reports,  488. 


CHAP,  u.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  115 

referred  to,  if  he  desires  a  more  full  statement.  It  has  ge- 
nerally been  supposed  that  the  real  and  principal  cause  of 
this  controversy,  was  a  difference  of  opinion  on  some 
points  of  theology,  much  disputed  at  the  present  day  ;  par- 
ticularly the  doctrine  of  the  trinity.  In  this  view  of  it,  the 
christian  community  at  large  has  taken  no  ordinary  inter- 
est in  its  origin  and  progress.  The  circumstance  that 
each  party  here  was  supposed  to  be  connected  with  a 
greater  party,  extending  throughout  the  country,  had  a 
strong  tendency  to  strengthen  the  spirit  of  religious 
faction.  But  it  is  my  pleasing  task  to  record  a  quite 
different  result.  They  who  a  few  years  ago  strenuously 
opposed  each  other,  are  now  good  and  kind  neighbours, 
and  think  not  of  any  other  triumph,  excepting  that  which 
flows  from  proving  the  soujidness  of  their  faith  by  the 
innocence  of  their  lives.  By  ivhat  cause  it  may  be  inquired, 
has  an  effect  so  unusual  fn  religious  controversy  been 
produced  ?  It  is  the  infl;i'ence  of  American  principles 
respecting  the  rights  of  conscience,  which  are  embodied 
in  the  constitution  and  approved  by  society,  which  has 
prevented  the  evils,  which  otherwise  may  have  arisen. 
There  are  many  powerful  propensities  in  the  human  heart 
to  intolerance,  but  the  reasons,  on  which  religious  liberty 
is  founded,  are  constantly  supplying  society  with  an  anti- 
dote for  that  evil,  still  more  powerful  and  steady  in  its 
operation. 

If  in  an  evil  hour,  the  twoparties,  which  now  contend  with 
commendable  moderation  for  their  doctrines,  should  in 
their  zeal  forget  the  spirit  they  are  of,  let  them  hear  a 
christian  father  and  philosopher,  who  described  the  effects 
of  the  Arian  and  Trinitarian  controversy  in  the  fourth  cen- 
tury. It  is  a  thing,  says  Hilary,  equally  deplorable  and 
dangerous,  that  there  are  as  many  creeds  as  opinions 
among  men,  as  many  doctrines  as  inclinations,  and  as 
many  sources  of  blasphemy,  as  there  are  faults  among  us, 
because  we  make  creeds  arbitrarily,  and  explain  them  as 
arbitrarily.  The  Homoousion  is  rejected  and  received 
and  explained  away  by  successive  synods.  The  partial  or 
total  resemblance  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  is  a  sub- 
ject of  dispute  for  these  unhappy  times.  Every  year,  nay 
every  moon,  we  make  new  creeds  to  describe  invisible 
mysteries.  We  repent  of  what  we  have  done,  we  defend 
those  who  repent.     We   anathematize    those    whom   we 


116  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  ix. 

defended.  We  condemn  either  the  doctrine  of  others  in 
ourselves,  or  our  own  in  that  of  others,  and  reciprocally 
tearing  one  another  to  pieces.  We  have  been  the  cause 
of  each  others  ruin."* 

The  second  parish  was  incorporated  in  November,  1730, 
including  at  that  time,  the  inhabitants  in  the  west  part  of 
the  town,  who  were  in  .January,  173G,  incorporated  into 
another  society,  called  the  third  parish.  The  land  in  these 
parishes  is  certainly  as  good  as  that  in  the  first  parish,  and 
some  of  it  much  better.  Why,  it  may  be  inquired,  was  a 
hundred  years  suffered  to  elapse,  before  this  part  of  the 
town  was  fully  settled  ^  Why  did  those  who  removed  from 
the  village  prefer  to  go  to  a  greater  distance,  even  to  Deer- 
lield,  rather  than  settle  on  good  land  nearer  home  ?  The 
cause  of  this  is  discovered  in  the  policy  of  the  inhabitants, 
which  compelled  them  at  that  time,  to  live  in  a  compact 
village,  and  in  the  spirit  of  the  times,  which  led  the  most 
enterprising  to  seek  large  quantities  of  land  in  the  wilder- 
ness, which  trait  of  character,  Roger  Williams  called  a  de- 
praved appetite,  and  the  god  ofJVew  England.  The  inhab- 
itants of  these  two  parishes,  intending  to  form  one  religious 
f^ociety,  erected  a  house  for  public  worship,  in  a  place  best 
calculated  to  accommodate  them.  But  after  meeting  in 
it  for  sometime,  it  was  abandoned,  for  the  local  situation 
of  the  two  parishes  did  not  conveniently  admit  of  their 
union.  In  June,  1736,  the  reverend  Thomas  Balch  was 
ordained  in  the  second  parish.  He  died  in  the  thirty- 
eighth  year  of  his  ministry.  His  successor  in  office  was 
the  reverend  Jabez  Chickering,  who  was  ordained  July, 
1776,  and  continued  therein  until  his  death,  in  March, 
1812.  The  successful  labours  of  these  two  ministers,  in 
a  period  of  seventy-five  years,  were  productive  of  peace. 
No  quarrel  or  discord  is  known  to  have  existed,  worthy  of 
notice.  A  more  unequivocal  evidence  of  their  merit,  and 
of  the  religious  and  good  moral  habits  of  their  people  can- 
not be  given.  Both  of  these  gentlemen  were  respected  by 
their  people  and  professional  brethren.  The  present  min- 
ister of  that  parish,  the  reverend  William  Cogswell,  was 
ordained  April  26,  1815.  In  June,  1816,  he  published  a 
sermon  in  which  he  stated  minutely  the  history  of  his 
church,  which  renders  it  superfluous  and  improper  for  me 

*  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire.    3  vol.  4. 


rHAr.  IX.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  117 

to  State  more  particularly  than  I  have  done,  its  past  and 
present  condition.  The  continued  peace  and  prosperity  of 
this  society  is  a  fact  which  will  excite  in  the  mind  of  every 
man  in  it,  a  desire  to  be  still  distinguished,  as  their  fathers 
have  been,  by  their  exemption  from  church  quarrels. 

The  third  parish  was  not  harmonious  in  its  origin. 
Those  who  were  discontented  with  Mr.  Dexter,  were  set- 
tled in  that  part  of  the  town.  Some  considerable  difficul- 
ty existed  in  the  separation.  The  reverend  .losiah  Dwight 
of  Woodstock,  a  descendant  of  the  family  of  that  name  in 
this  town,  was  the  first  clergyman  settled  in  that  parish. 
He  was  ordained  June,  l7o5,  and  was  dismissed  on  ac- 
count of  dissensions  between  him  and  the  parish,  in  No- 
vember, 1742.  In  November,  1743,  the  reverend  Andrew 
Tyler  was  ordained  as  his  successor.  Mr.  Thatcher  said 
in  a  public  discourse,  that  this  gentleman  was  well  spoken 
of  by  all  parties,  as  one  possessed  of  respectable  profes- 
sional gifts,  as  very  amiable  and  polite  in  his  manners,  and 
much  respected  by  his  people  for  the  first  twenty  years  of 
his  ministry.  From  1764  to  1772,  to  the  time  of  his  dis- 
mission, great  and  severe  disputes  existed  between  him 
and  the  parish.  Repeated  but  fruitless  attempts  were 
made  during  this  time,  by  parish  meetings,  church  meet- 
ings, and  ecclesiastical  councils,  to  restore  peace. 

Finally,  in  1772,  the  parish  determined  to  withhold  his 
salary,  and  inserted  their  reasons  therefor  in  the  parish  re- 
cords. This  record  discloses  pretty  fully  the  temper  of  the 
parties,  and  is  a  good  precedent  to  show  what  may  be  ex- 
pected from  the  attempt  of  a  settled  minister  to  remain  in 
his  parish  after  the  majority  desire  his  dismission.  The  re- 
cord proceeds  thus  :  "  The  laws  of  the  province  require 
that  a  minister  should  be  learned,  orthodox,  able,  pious, 
and  of  good  conversation,  but  your  committee  is  humbly 
of  the  opinion  that  the  minister  of  this  parish  is  very  defi- 
cient in  some  of  these  qualifications.  As  to  his  learning, 
the  committee,  not  being  judges  in  that  matter,  can  only 
say  that  some  men  of  learning  have  given  intimations  that 
he  was  reckoned  at  college  a  very  indifferent  scholar,  and 
ministers  in  general  arc  looked  upon  to  be  much  his  supe- 
riors in  that  respect.  As  to  his  orthodoxy,  the  parish  have 
never  made  any  complaint,  nor  do  the  committee.  As  to 
his  ability,  which  we  take  not  to  imply  the  same  thing  as 
learning,  but  is  understood  by  us  to  mean  the  same  thing 


il8  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [cHAr.  ix. 

as  an  able  minister  of  the  new  testament,  that  is,  one  apt 
to  teach,  who  always  feeds  his  flock,  one  able  to  convince 
gain-sayers,  who  can  comfort  as  well  as  reprove,  one  who 
can  govern  his  own  temper  and  bear  with  the  infirmities 
of  others.  In  all  these  particulars,  we  consider  Mr.  Tyler 
deficient.  But  what  is  most  exceptionable,  Mr.  Tyler  does 
not  appear  to  be  a  man  of  piety  and  good  conversation. 
He  is  frequently  guilty  of  rash  and  unguarded  expressions, 
of  a  disregard  to  truth.  He  has  handled  the  word  of  God 
deceitfully,  in  order  to  level  his  artillery  against  those  with 
whom  he  has  been  offended.  He  has  been  noisy,  boiste- 
rous and  turbulent.  In  administering  the  discipline  of  the 
church,  he  has  been  partial  through  prejudice."  When 
the  whole  parish  had  thus  indicted  their  minister,  guilty  or 
innocent,  we  must  suppose  he  would  gladly  retire  from  it. 
But  this  charge  seems  to  have  much  support,  from  the  cir- 
cumstance that  Mr.  Tyler  remained  so  long,  until  the  pa- 
rish was  wrought  up  into  the  state  of  feeling,  indicated  by 
the  charges.  Yet  we  must  recollect  that  we  hear  not  Mr. 
Tyler's  defence,  if  he  had  any. 

In  December,  1772,  seven  referees  mutually  chosen, 
determined  on  what  condition  Mr.  Tyler  should  be  dismis- 
sed. These  conditions  were  complied  with  by  both  par- 
ties. Mr.  Tyler  after  his  dismission,  retired  to  Boston 
with  his  family. 

June  7,  17S0.  The  reverend  Thomas  Thatcher  was  or- 
dained over  the  parish.  In  the  settlement  and  salary 
granted  him,  a  provision  was  made  for  avoiding  "  the  awful 
and  deplorable  consequences''^  o(  former  disputes  with  their 
minister.  Mr.  Thatcher  continued  their  minister  until  his 
death,  in  October,  1812.  Mr.  Thatcher  maintained  a  high 
reputation  for  abilities.  He  was  invited  to  preach  many 
occasional  sermons,  twenty  of  which  were  published.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  American  academy  of  arts  and  scien- 
ces. In  1788,  he  was  chosen  a  delegate  with  the  Hon. 
Fisher  Ames  for  this  town,  to  the  convention  for  ratifying 
the  federal  constitution,  and  made  a  speech  in  favour  of 
its  ratification.  His  connexion  with  his  church  was  upon 
the  whole  beneficial  and  happy,  although  he  gently  hinted 
at  his  afflictions,  and  the  severe  criticisms  on  his  manners. 
If  a  minister  is  frugal,  then  says  he,  they  tax  him  with  ava- 
rice ;  if  he  is  public  spirited,  then  they  call  him  a  prodigal. 
In  these   afflictions  of  the  gospel,  blessed  be  God,  I  can 


CHAP,  ix]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  119 

boast  no  uncommon  share  !  He  had  strong  feelings,  and 
they  would  burst  out  on  many  occasions,  without  much  con- 
troul.  He  had  oddities  and  peculiarity  of  manners.  He  was 
never  married  ;  the  members  of  his  society  have  said  "  what 
a  pity  it  is  our  parson  has  no  wife  to  check  his  excentric 
sallies,  and  soften  his  blunt  manners."  It  is  honorable  to 
the  parish,  that  they  duly  appreciated  the  solid  worth  of 
Mr.  Thatcher,  and  overlooked  his  little  foibles,  and  this 
further  proves  that  the  people  there  were  not  inclined  to 
contention.  Mr.  Thatcher's  ancestors,  for  four  genera- 
tions before  him,  were  respectable  and  useful  men.  His 
father  was  the  late  Oxenbridge  Thatcher,  Esq.,  of  Boston, 
a  respectable  lawyer  and  political  writer.  Dr.  Peter 
Thatcher,  of  Boston,  was  his  brother. 

The  reverend  John  White  was  ordained  over  this  parish 
in  April,  1814,  and  uninterrupted  harmony  has  existed 
therein  ever  since. 

Some  disputes  arose  in  the  third  parish,  in  the  year  1808, 
respecting  the  location  of  a  new  meeting  house,  but  dis- 
putes about  the  repairs  and  building  of  meeting  houses, 
are  almost  a  matter  of  course,  every  where.  It  would  re- 
quire much  time  to  describe  the  contentions  on  that  sub- 
ject in  this  town,  particularly  in  the  first  parish.  I  have 
noticed  eight  different  votes  passed  in  the  course  of  fifteen 
years  previous  to  1808,  in  the  records  of  the  first  parish, 
resolving  to  repair  the  first  parish  meeting  house,  and  as 
many  subsequent  votes  rescinding  the  former  ones,  at  the 
same  time  when  the  meeting  house  had  stood  since  the  year 
1 763,  and  was  not  large  enough  to  accommodate  one  half  of 
the  parish  at  that  time.  If  any  use  is  to  be  made  of  history 
on  this  subject,  it  is  to  inculcate  this  admonition,  "  Guard 
against  disputes  in  building  a  new  meeting  housed 

1760.  The  episcopal  church  in  Dedham,  commenced.  In 
theyear  1768,  it  came  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Clark.  A  small  church  was  then  built  by  a  few  persons  in 
Dedham  and  the  neighbouring  towns.  It  has  already  been 
stated  what  treatment  this  gentleman  met  with  here,  dur- 
ing the  evolutionary  war.  After  he  had  obtained  a  small 
pension  from  the  British  government,  he  resided  sometime 
in  New  Brunswick,  but  he  afterwards  came  to  Quincy, 
where  he  spent  the  remainderof  his  days.  From  Mr.Clark's 
departure,  to  1791,  there  was  occasionally  preaching  in  the 
society,  through  the  exertion  of  bishop  Parker.     In  1791, 


120  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAAJ.  [hiap.  is. 

the  reverend  William  Montague  came  into  this  church 
and  became  its  rector,  and  continued  in  that  office  until 
June,  181S,  when  he  was  dismissed  by  the  bishop.  In 
June,  1818,  the  episcopal  church  was  regularly  organised 
as  a  religious  society,  after  much  opposition.  November, 
1821.  The  reverend  Isaac  Boyle,  was  at  the  unanimous 
request  of  the  members,  instituted  rector  over  the  church. 
For  reasons  which  need  not  be  mentioned,  the  former  af- 
flictions of  this  society  cannot  be  stated  in  this  place. 
Those  persons  who  left  the  first  parish  in  1818,  built  a 
new  meeting  house  in  the  summer  of  1819,  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1822,  became  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the 
"  proprietors  of  the  new  meeting  house  in  Dedham."  The 
reverend  Ebenezer  Burgess  was  ordained  over  that  socie- 
ty March  14,  1821.  In  the  same  month,  his  church  adopt- 
ed a  new  creed  and  covenant,  which  is  published  under 
the  title  of '^  A  brief  summary  of  christian  doctrines,  and 
form  of  covenant."  Four  different  forms  of  church  cove- 
nant had  previous  to  this,  been  adopted  in  the  first  church 
at  different  times.  The  members  of  the  baptist  society  in 
this  town,  who  seceded  from  the  third  parish  in  June,  1811, 
became  incorporated  with  the  first  baptist  society  in  Med- 
field,  over  which  society,  the  reverend  William  Gamel  was 
the  ordained  minister. 


CHAP.  X.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  121. 


CHAPTER   X. 


Petition  for  grant  of  land  for  a  township.  List  of  freemen  admitted  townsmen 
previous  to  1647.  Succession  in  the  ministry.  School  pag-e.  Parish  funds  and 
benefactors.  Town  and  parish  expenses.  Divisions  of  the  land,  and  descrip- 
tions of  property.  Notices  of  manufactories.  Tables  of  mortality  and  compara- 
tive longevity.  Memoranda  for  natural  history.  Local  customs.  Suggested 
improvements.     Rural  appearances.     Conclusion. 


Peiilion  for  the ^rant  ofDedham  Township. — May  it  please 
the  honoured  Court,  to  ratify  unto  your  humble  petition- 
ers (your  grant,)  formerly  made  of  a  plantation  above  the 
Falls,  that  we  may  possess  all  that  land,  which  is  left  out 
of  former  grants,  upon  that  side  of  Charles  river,  and 
upon  the  other  side  five  miles  square.  To  have  and  enjoy 
all  those  lands,  meadows,  woods  and  other  grounds,  to- 
gether with  all  the  waters  and  other  benefits  whatsoever, 
now  being  or  that  may  be  in  the  compass  of  the  aforesaid 
limits,  to  us  with  our  associates,  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 
First  to  be  freed  from  all  country  charges  for  four  years. 
Secondly  to  be  free  from  military  exercises  in  our  said 
town  for  four  years,  except  some  extraordinary  occasion 
require  them. 

Thirdly,  that  such  distribution  or  allotments  of  land  as 
are  due  and  performed,  be  confirmed  by  the  grantors  or 
their  successors. 

Fourthly,  that  we  may  have  countenance  from  this  hon- 
oured court  for  the  well  ordering  the  non-age  of  our  society, 
according  to  the  best  rule  :  and  to  that  purpose  to  assign 
unto  us  a  constable  that  may  regard  peace  and  truth. 

Fifthly,  to  distinguish  our  town  by  the  name  of  Con- 
tentment, or  otherwise  as  you  shall  please. 

Sixthly,  we  entreat  such  other  helps,  as  your  wisdom 
shall  know  best  in  favor  to  grant  unto  us,  for  our  well 
improving  of  what  we  are  intrusted  withal,  unto  us  in 
particulur,  but  especially  to  the  general  good  of  this 
weal  public,  in  succeeding  times,  subscriber!  by  all  who 
are  in  covenant  at  present,  10  day  7  month,  Iti.iG.  Signed 
by  nineteen  persons. 
16 


122 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM. 


[chap.  I. 


Ordered,  That  said  plantation  to  be  settled  above  Charles 
river,  have  three  years  immunity  from  public  charges,  as 
Concord  had  from  the  first  day  of  May  next.  The  name 
of  the  plantation  to  be  Dedham.  To  enjoy  all  that  land 
on  the  easterly  and  southerly  side  of  Charles  river,  not 
formerly  granted  to  any  town  and  particular  person,  and 
have  five  miles  square  on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 


IiIST 

OF  FREEMEN  WHO  HAD  BEEN  ADMITTED  INTO  DEDHAM  BEFORE  1647. 


Mr.  John  AUiii, 

John  Rogers, 

Peter  Woodward, 

Mr.  Timothy  Dalton, 

Joseph  Shawe, 

John  Baker, 

Mr.  Thomas  Carter, 

Nathan  Aldis,  deacon, 

Nathaniel  Whiting, 

Mr.  Ralph  Wheelock, 

Daniel  Fisher, 

Anthony  Fisher, 

Mr.  John  Hunting, 

Michael  Metcalf, 

Andrew  Dewing, 

Mr. Pruden, 

John  Bullard, 

George  Barber, 

Mr.  Henry  Phillips, 

Joshua  Fisher, 

Robert  Onion, 

Francis  Chickering,  deac. 

Ferdinand©  Adams, 

Robert  Feashe, 

Abraham  Shaw, 

Thomas  Wight, 

John  Gay, 

Edward  Allyne, 

Samuel  Morse, 

Lambert  Genery, 

John  Fra3re, 

Nicholas  Phillips, 

Samuel  Guile, 

Eleazer  Lusher, 

John  Morse, 

John  Ellis, 

Robert  Hinsdale, 

John  Page, 

Daniel  Morse, 

Edward  Kenipe, 

Michael  Powell, 

Thomas  Alcoke, 

John  Leuson, 

Joseph  Kingsbury 

John  Batchellof; 

John  Dwight, 

Nathaniel  Colborne, 

Joseph  Morse. 

Henry  Smith, 

Timothy  Dwight, 

CHIP.   X.] 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM. 


123 


SUCCESSION  IN  THE  MINISTRY. 


FIRST  PARISH, 

(Church  gathered  Novemher  8,  1638.) 


Names  of  ministers. 


John  Allin, 
William  Adams, 
Joseph  Belcher, 
Samuel  De.xter, 
Jason  Haven, 
Joshua  Bates, 
Alvan  Lamson, 


Time  of 
ordination. 


April  24,  1639 
Dec.  3,  lfi73. 
Nov.  29,  1693. 
May  6, 1724. 
Feb.  5,  1756. 
March  6,  1803 
Oct  29, 1813. 


Time  of 
decease. 


Aug.  26, 1671. 
Aug.  17,  1685. 
April  27, 1723. 
Jan.  29,  1755. 
May  17,  1803. 
Feb.  20, 1818. 


Remarks. 


'  Is  dismissed  forfhe  purpose 
I  of  being  president  of  Mid- 
'dlebury  college,  Vermont. 


SEGOXTS  PikRISH, 

(Incorporated  November,  1730.     Church  gathered  June  23,  173G.) 


Thomas  Balch, 
Jabez  Chickering, 
William  Cogswell, 


June  30,  1736. 
July  3,  1776. 
April  26,  1815. 


Jan.  8,  1774. 
Mar.  12, 1812. 


THIRD  PARISH, 


(Incorporated  January,   1736.     Church  gathered  June  4,  1735.) 


Josiah  Dwight, 
Andrew  Tyler, 
Thomas  Thatcher, 
John  White, 


June  4,  1735.   I 

Nov.  30,  1743.1 

June  7.  1780.   lOct.  19,  1812. 

April  20, 1814.1 


Dismissed  in  1742. 
Dismissed  Dec.  17,  1772. 


EPISCOPAI.  CHURCH  IN  DEDHASK. 

William  Clark, 

Dec.  1768. 

1 

Is  orUaincd  by  the  bishop  of  Lon- 
don, and  appointed  missionary 
here.  May,  1777,  is  carried  away 
by  force  to  Boston,  because  he 
was  opposed  to  the  revolution. 

William  Montague, 

1791. 

r 

\ 

Comes  to  Dedham,  and  becomes 
rector  of  the  church.  July  1818, 
ix  dismissed  from  office  by  bish- 
op Griswold. 

Isaac  Boyle, 

Nov.  22, 1821. 

{ 

Is  regularly  instituted  roctor 
over  the  church  by  bishop  Gris- 
wold 

Vmvr  1HLBBT1N&  HOUSE  SOCIETY. 


Ebenezer  Burgess,     |  Mar.  14, 1821.1 


BAPTIST  SOCIETY  IN  DEDHAM  ANTD  IIXEDFIEI.D, 

(Incorpora.ted   Juno   9,   1811  ) 


William  Ganiel, 


Over  the  churches  in  Medlield  and  Dedham. 


124 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM. 


[chap.  X. 


PROGRESS  OF  SCHOOLS. 


-a  2 
1  ^ 

o  o 

o 
j:: 

u7 

How  far  adequate. 

Prevailing  traits  of  character  at  several 
periods. 

1 

1644     m 

80 

Highest. 

Fully  adequate. 

Religious,  harnionious,  patriotic,  suc- 
cessful in  their  enterprises.  The  town 
devoted  lands  sufficient  to  support  one 
school  master  all  the  vear. 

16G4      KO 

84 

high.   1  Adequate  this  year. 

Cliaracter  of  the  people  nearly  the  same, 
but  the  town  begins  to  relax  in  support 
of  Schools,  and  is  indicted  for  neglect  in 
;674. 

1684 

/lO 

118 

Lower. 

duite    inadequate 

Vacaiicj  in  tlie  ;iiiiiistry.  iour  candi- 
dates refuse  the  ministry  here.  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Avery  gave  sixty  pounds  for  a  La- 
tin school,  which  was  not  appropiiated 
that  purpose. 

1704 

Ohl 
tenor 

155 

Lower 

still. 

Not    sufficient  to 
support  one  school 
master  six  months. 

Disorderly  elections,  cliurcii  quarrels, 
bad  manners,  bad  records.  Incompe- 
tent town  officers.  1691,  the  town  again 
indicted  for  neglect  in  supporting 
schools.  The  people  are  dispersed  into 
parishes. 

r,  ::4 

Uld 
tenor 
160 

„,_        .           ,         Few  could   have 
218        Lowest    ^^^  ^^.,^^^,  instruc- 
tion. 

The  character  of  people  nearly  the 
same.  The  school  farm  was  sold  about 
this  time,  and  the  proceeds  thereof  mis- 
appropriated. 

1744 

Old 
tenor. 
«-2.5 

?,S-l 

Low. 

Oreatly  deficient. 

Mieliail  -Metcalf,  ^atbaniel  Kingsbury, 
.Mr.  Damon,  and  Mr.  Dexter,  seeing  the 
deplorable  want  of  school  education, 
make  donations  to  support  schools,  and 
to  teach  good  manners. 

1764J    m 

1919 
Inhabi- 
tants. 

Low. 

Eight  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  cliildren 
under  Ifi  years. 

We  still  hear  of  quarrels  in  the  first 
church.  Ecclesiastical  councils,  and  dis- 
mission of  minister  in  the  third  parish. 

1784 

1150 

2,000 
Inhabi- 
tants 

Rising. 

Greatly   deficient. 

1804 

$1200 

2,  J  00 
Inhabi- 
tants. 

Rising. 

Many     cliildren 
have    only   a     few 
week's  schooling. 

1824 

1 

$2000 

650Inha- 

bitants 

taxed. 

Rising. 

There  are  eleven  di.^tricts,  some  quite 
small.  The  masters  employed  are  many 
of  them  quite  incompetent,  as  the  school 
committee  of  1826  found  bv  examina- 
tion. 

CHAP,  x]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  J25 

OF  FUNDS  TO  SUPPORT  PUBLIC  WORSHIP.  DONORS. 
Eight  shares  out  of  the  five  hundred  and  twenty-two 
shares  into  which  the  Dedham  common  lands  were  divided 
in  tlie  year  1659,  were  given  to  the  church  to  support  a 
teaching  church  officer,  in  the  town.  From  the  sale  of 
these  lands  a  fund  has  accumulated  which  added  to  the 
rents  of  a  few  house  lots,  amounts  to  the  annual  income  of 
seven  hundred  and  sixty  dollars.  Other  donors  to  the 
first  parish  were  doctor  William  Avery,  honorable  Samuel 
De.xter,  honorable  Edward  Dowse,  of  the  clock  in  the  par- 
ish steeple.     Mr.  John  Doggett,  of  interior  clock. 

The  second  parish  in  June  1S24,  was  organized  with 
powers  to  hold  property  in  trust,  for  various  purposes.  It 
does  now  hold  funds  to  support  the  communion  table, 
public  worship,  poor  widows,  and  the  gospel  ministry. 

The  annual  income  of  the  third  parish  from  lands  and 
money  given  by  many  persons  amounts  to  two  hundred 
and  eighty  dollars.  The  reverend  Thomas  Thatcher  gave 
this  parish  land  and  money. 

Samuel  Colburn  in  the  year  1756,  by  his  last  will  gave 
one  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres  of  valuable  land  to  the 
Episcopal  church,  in  Dedham.  In  1794  the  legislature 
granted  to  the  rector,  wardens,  and  vestry  of  the  church, 
a  power  to  lease  the  land  ;  and  before  the  year  1818, 
more  than  half  of  the  land  had  been  sold  and  the  proceeds 
spent.  Esther  Sprague  and  Elizabeth  Sumner  were  liberal 
donors  of  this  church. 

Present  net  annual  income  from  rents  on  long  leases  is 
seven  hundred  dollars. 

In  the  year  1826,  the  reverend  Ebenezer  Burgess  built  at 
his  own  expense  a  spacious  vestry  to  the  new  meeting 
house. 

It  thus  appears  that  funds  for  pious  uses,  to  a  consider- 
able amount,  and  of  ancient  origin  exist  in  this  town.  To 
a  community  which  has  not  much  recorded  experience  of 
the  abuses  to  which  funds  of  this  kind  are  liable,  the  his- 
tory of  those  funds  may  be  instructive. 

The  funds  of  the  first  parish  began  in  1659,  and  in  three 
important  particulars  have  been  managed  or  appropriated 
contrary  to  what  must  be  the  presumed  will  of  the  donors. 


126  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chaf.  x. 

First,  It  cannot  be  believed  that  when  all  the  inhabi- 
tants gave  lands,  that  they  intended  the  benefit  of  them, 
should  be  confined  to  the  oldest  and  richest  society  in  the 
town,  to  the  exclusion  of  four  or  five  other  parishes 
having  greater  need  of  them. 

Secondly,  It  cannot  be  believed  that  the  inhabitants  of 
Dedhani  in  1659,  who  made  such  exertions  to  establish  a 
})ure  church,  who  talked  much  of  their  power  to  open  and 
shut  the  doors  of  the  church,  and  who  would  not  permit 
the  town  to  have  any  participation  in  the  choice  of  their 
two  first  pastors,  could  ever  have  consented  to  such  a 
method  of  controuling  their  funds,  as  is  now  adopted,  one 
which  virtually  gives  the  parish  the  power  of  controuling 
them  in  exclusion  of  the  church. 

Thirdly,  Of  all  heresies,  they  probably  would  have 
deemed  that  the  greatest,  which  would  place  the  funds  by 
them  given,  under  the  controul  of  a  Unitarian  parish,  to 
the  exclusion  of  an  Orthodox  church  as  has  been  done  by 
a  change  of  opinion  and  laws. 

The  constitution  of  the  State  adopted  in  1780,  and  ex- 
plained and  applied  in  1821,  in  a  lawsuit  respecting  these 
very  funds,  has  had  the  effect  transfering  from  the  church 
its  property,  and  giving  it  to  the  parish.  This  must  be 
justified  on  revolutionary,  and  not  on  legal  principles 
But  after  all  perhaps,  a  christian  society  will  not  have 
much  cause  to  regret  these  variations  from  the  presumed 
will  of  the  donors.  They  have  been  affected,  not  suddenly 
and  by  a  violent  revolution  in  the  State,  but  by  a  consti- 
tutional and  general  law,  rendered  necessary  by  a  change 
in  government  and  opinions.  Had  not  this  gradual  revo- 
lution taken  place,  it  is  probable,  that  some  other  more 
violent  change  would  be  affected,  such  as  happened 
when  Henry  VIII,  and  other  protestant  princes,  on  the  con- 
version of  their  subjects  from  popery,  permitted  their  rapa- 
cious courtiers  to  seize  the  inheritance  of  the  proscribed 
church  for  their  private  uses. 

Experience  teaches  us,  that  it  is  not  so  much  the  wrong 
appropriation  of  church  funds  that  should  be  feared  and 
guarded  against,  as  the  spending  of  them.  The  majority 
in  each  of  the  five  religious  societies  in  this  town  have 
virtually  the  power  to  controul  the  use  of  their  funds,  the 
members  of  each  society  would  no  doubt  repel  the  propo- 
sition, to  spend  the  principal  of  their  funds.     They  would 


CHAP,  x]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  127 

probably  understand  such  a  proposition  as  it  really  is,  an 
attempt  to  violate  the  trust  in  their  hands,  which,  in  its 
effects  must  defraud  the  next  and  succeeding  generations. 
But  some  of  these  societies  have  done  those  things,  and 
borrowed  money  which  have  ultimately  diminished  the 
funds.  So  imperfectly  is  the  obligation  understood,  of  duly 
appropriating  parish  funds,  that  many  have  not  scrupled 
to  borrow  on  their  credit,  and  have  thereby  imposed  on 
them  a  permanent  incumbrance,  which  is  the  same  thing 
as  spending  the  principal,  when  the  use  only  was  given  to 
them.  It  is  in  this  indirect  manner  of  spending  the  prin- 
cipal of  their  parish  funds  that  danger  is  most  to  be  appre- 
hended. 


AT  DIFFERENT  PERIODS,  SHOWING  THE  RATIO  OP  INCREASE. 

Old  tenor. 
1732.  Deputy's  pay,  minister's  salary,  poor  tax,  incidental  expenses,  £207  :    1  :    4 
17.33.        "  "  "  "  "      "  "  "  178  :  11  :  10 

1734.        "  "  "  "  "     "  "  "  175  :  14  :    4 

Federal  currency. 
1793.  Taxes  for  highways,  poor,  schools,  and  all  other  town  taxes,  S1800  :  00 

1796.       "       "  "  "  "         "     "      "        "        "  2940  :  00 

1800.      "       "  "  "  "  "     "      "        "        "  3400  :  00 

1805.      "       "  "  "  "  '•     "       "        "        "  4600  :  00 

1808.      "       "  "  "  "  "     "      "        "        "  5100  :  00 

1815.      "       "  "  "  "  "    "      "      >  "        "  5600  :  00 

1826.      "       "  "  "  "  "    "      "        "        "  6981  :  82 

ITZSIVES 

OP  TOWN  EXPENSES,  FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDING  APRIL,  1896. 

Highway  taxes, $2000  :  00 

For  bridges,             -  428  :  58 

For  support  of  schools, 2000  :  (K) 

Pay  of  town  officer,  stationary,  and  lawsuits,    -         -  561  :  70 

Support  of  poor, 1991  :  54 

Total,         -        $6981  :  82 

AVTNJJAIm  exfzsitses 

for  supporting  public  worship. 

In  the  1st  parish,  ordinary  annual  expense  in  late  years,  $1300 

In  the  2nd    "                            "            "        "     "  «'  600 

In  the  3d      "                            "            "        "    "  "  (j40 

In  the  new  meeting  house  society       "        "    "  "  850 

In  the  episcopal  church,                        "        "     "  "  900 

In  the  society  of  baptists,  about           "        "    "  "  300 

Total  annual  expense,  not  including  cost  of  building  ?  (fc^rofv 

and  repairing  liouseH  of  public  worship,  S  v'ioJl 


]28  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  x. 

BIVISIOM-S  OF  THX:  Z.AKD. 

24.000  acres  of  land,  by  estimation,  divided  into 

220  tenements,  each  having  a  house,  barn  and  15  acres  of  land  or 

more. 
397  dwelling  houses. . 
500  0 Winers  of  real  estate,  not  including  those  who  own  stock  in 

factories. 
685  males  taxed  in  tlie  town,  including  01  non-residents. 

FBOGRESS 

OF  POPULATION  IS  AS  FOLLOVTS  : 

In  1765,  in  the  three  parishes,  the  number  of  inliabitants  was,  1567 

In  1790,  "     "       "  "  "        "        "  «  "  1659 

In  1800,  "     "      "  "  "         "        "  "  «  1973 

In  ISIO,  "     "      "  "  "        "        "  «  «  2172 

In  1820,  "     "      "  «  "        "        «  "  «  2485 

A  much  greater  increase  of  inhabitants  for  some  years 
to  come,  is  anticipated,  principally  on  account  of  manu- 
facturing establishments.  The  owners  of  land  have  gene- 
rally the  fee  simple,  and  their  estates  are  not  frequently 
encumbered  with  mortgages,  annuities,  rents,  or  life  estates. 
Of  the  two  hundred  and  twenty  tenements  above  enumer- 
ated, it  may  be  estimated  that  not  more  than  twenty  have 
estates  mortgaged,  who  have  not  a  good  prospect  of  paying 
the  mortgage  within  a  few  years.  There  are  forty  tene- 
ments in  the  village,  the  owner's  title  to  which  is  a  lease 
for  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years,  subject  to  an  an- 
nual rent. 

Descriptions  of  property. — Stone  court  house  and  jail ; 
four  congregational  meeting  houses  ;  an  episcopal  church; 
a  baptist  meeting  house  ;  eleven  small  school  houses  ;  the 
woollen  factories;  two  cotton  factories  ;  four  saw  mills; 
two  paper  mills  ;  two  grist  mills  ;  five  manufactories  for 
making  chaises  and  carriages  ;  an  establishment  for  mak- 
ing machinery  for  other  factories  ;  Warren's  establish- 
ment for  making  ploughs ;  five  taverns ;  eleven  retail 
stores  ;  two  apothecaries  ;  one  printing  press  ;  one  bank, 
capital  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;  one  mutual  fire  in- 
surance company,  having  the  two  first  years  of  its  opera- 
tions, insured  more  than  four  hundred  houses,  and  proper- 
ty to  the  amount  of  four  hundred  and  seventy  thousand 
dollars. 

JVotices   of  attempts  to  establish  JManvfadories,   and  their 
present  situation. — In  the  latter  part  of  Mr.  Jeft'erson's  ad- 


CtiAP.  x]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  12^ 

ministration,  the  interruptions  of  commerce  created  a 
strong  desire  to  be  no  longer  dependent  on  it,  for  articles 
of  the  first  necessity.  On  a  question,  w  herein  the  honour 
and  independence  of  the  country  was  supposed  to  be 
much  involved,  there  was  much  said  and  written.  Some 
successful  attempts  at  Pawtucket  previous  to  the  year 
1808,  and  the  favouring  gale  of  popular  good  will  hurried 
many  at  that  time,  into  hasty  attempts,  to  establish  man- 
ufactures on  a  large  scale.  I  will  describe  the  opera- 
tions of  a  single  corporation,  those  of  the  Norfolk  Cot- 
ton Factory  ;  the  first  in  this  town,  which  engaged  in  these 
attempts.  As  their  methods  of  proceeding  were  similar 
to  that  of  many  hundred  of  other  companies  and  corpora- 
tions, at  that  time,  1  am  justified  in  the  minuteness  of  the 
detail.  Here  at  Dedham  the  most  enterprising  men  in  the 
town  looked  around  them  ;  they  saw  that  there  was  here 
water  power,  capital,  and  an  ardent  desire  to  be  no  longer 
dependent  on  foreign  looms.  Nothing  was  wanting  but 
skill,  in  the  operations  to  be  undertaken  ;  and  for  that 
deficiency  they  had  no  doubt  of  soon  finding  a  remedy  in 
their  own  experience.  As  no  one  had  a  sufficient  capital, 
for  an  entire  establishment,  the  joint  capital  of  many  was 
used.  In  1808  after  a  year's  preparation,  thirty  individuals 
were  united  by  an  incorporating  act.  Among  these  were 
merchants,  traders,  farmers,  blacksmiths,  hatters,  a  lawyer, 
a  physician,  and  an  innkeeper,  but  not  a  single  man,  who 
had  any  skill  in  the  art  of  manufactruing  cotton  goods. 
In  organizing  their  corporation,  the  necessity  of  entrusting 
all  their  complicated  operations,  to  the  controul  of  one 
mind,  was  not  perceived  by  the  members,  but  they  were 
guided  it  seems  in  this  business  by  republican  maxims  and 
models.  They  entrusted  the  executive  authority  to  a  pre- 
sident, three  directors,  clerk  and  treasurer,  whose  distinct 
and  appropriate  duties  were  defined  in  a  lengthy  code  of 
by-laws.  The  three  directors  were  required  to  remain 
at  the  factory,  one  week  each,  and  alternately  :  but  no 
one  was  permitted  to  do  any  thing  of  importance  without 
the  concurrence  of  his  colleagues.  All  the  officers  were 
chosen  annually.  During  six  or  seven  years  the  annual 
meetings  were  fully  attended.  After  the  business  was 
done  and  the  officers  had  made  a  flattering  report  of  net 
gains,  the  members  partook  of  a  good  dinner.  Thus  for- 
med, the  corporation  began  business,  built  a  large  wooden 
17 


130  HISTORY  OF  DEDHA3I.  [chap.  x. 

factory  on  the  upper  dam,  on  Mother  Brook  :  placed  in  it 
the  tub  wheel,  and  common  water  frames.  When  the 
cotton  arrived  at  the  factory,  it  was  divided  into  small 
parcels  and  sent  to  the  neighbouring  houses  to  be  picked 
by  hand  :  over  the  picking  department  one  and  sometimes 
two  agents  presided.  When  the  cotton  was  spun,  then 
again  it  was  sent  abroad  to  be  wove  by  hand.  Over  this 
department  of  weaving  an  agent  presided.  The  spacious 
store-rooms  adjoining  the  factory  weres  oon  crowded  with 
cotton  yarn,  and  cotton  cloths  ;  where  all  the  goods  were 
retailed  excepting  what  were  sent  to  numerous  factors 
abroad.  As  their  plan  was  to  retail  their  own  goods  at  their 
own  counter,  it  became  desirable  to  have  a  pretty  good  as- 
sortment, and  then  they  began  to  make  sattinets;  and  the 
legislature  granted  them  leave  so  to  do,  by  an  additional 
section  to  their  charter.  The  high  price  of  cotton  goods 
at  that  time  permitted  them  to  move  on  unconcerned 
about  the  wages  of  the  workmen  and  agents  ;  and  money 
flowed  pretty  freely  into  the  hands  of  persons,  who  never 
before  or  since  that  time  have  been  so  well  off  to  live. 
The  affairs  of  this  company  remained  in  nearly  the  same 
situation  until  the  end  of  the  war  in  1814. 

The  report  of  net  gains  at  their  annual  meetings  made 
them  joyful  and  festive  anniversaries.  The  stockholders 
had  not,  it  is  true,  yet  received  any  dividends,  but  the 
favorable  estimate  of  all  their  joint  property,  led  them  to 
anticipate  large  future  dividends.  Nor  was  this  all.  The 
stock  holders  were  regarded  in  the  favourable  light  of  do- 
ing something  for  their  country,  as  well  as  a  good  deal  for 
themselves.  The  inhabitants  felt  a  degree  of  pride  in  hav- 
ing a  cotton  factory  in  town,  and  whenever  their  friends 
from  the  interior  visited  them,  the  first  thing  thought  of, 
was  to  mention  that  there  was  a  new  cotton  factory  in  the 
town,  and  they  must  go  and  see  its  curious  and  wonderful 
machinery.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  late  war,  the  cor- 
poration w^as  caught  with  twenty  thousand  dollars  worth 
of  goods  on  hand,  and  with  forty  thousand  dollars  in 
debts  due  to  it,  in  eight  or  ten  states.  When  cotton 
goods  were  so  high,  as  they  were  during  the  war,  an  at- 
tempt to  manufacture  cheaply,  was  almost  superfluous. 
The  peace  let  in  such  a  flood  of  cheap  goods,  that  unless 
cotton  cloths  could  be  made  cheaply,  they  could  not  be 
made  at  all.     It  was  then  that  the  genius  of  man  began  to 


CHAP.  X.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  131 

interest  itself  in  improving  all  the  operations  of  spinning, 
weaving,  and  bleaching.  The  changes  in  this  particular, 
in  the  Norfolk  cotton  factory,  were  not  important,  because 
it  did  not  survive  for  a  sufficient  length  of  time.  It  how- 
ever commenced  the  career  of  change  and  improvement. 
The  tub  wheel  gave  way  for  the  common  water  wheel  ; 
then  came  the  cotton  picker,  not  that  silent  and  efficient 
machine  now  in  use,  but  a  buzzing  and  noisy  thing  ;  when 
it  was  first  put  in  operation,  it  sent  forth  such  a  scream  that 
it  alarmed  some  in  the  court  house  village.  Before  the 
power  loom  and  the  double  speeder  could  come  to  the  as- 
sistance of  this  company,  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  sell 
the  whole  establishment. 

Frederick  A.  Taft  was  the  first  regular  manufacturer  of 
cotton  goods  in  the  town,  and  he  soon  showed  the  difference 
there  is  between  the  produce  of  labour  employed  on  good 
machinery,  and  directed  by  a  single  experienced  agent, 
and  that  which  is  derived  from  labour  on  the  imperfect 
machinery  first  used,  and  under  the  controul  of  the  inex- 
perienced officers  of  an  aggregate  corporation. 
In  1814,  the  price  of  picking  cotton  by  hand,  was  5  cts. 
The  price  of  weaving  by  the  yard,  varied  from  5  to  14  cts. 
The  price  of  good  cotton  shirting  50  cts. 

The  loss  to  this  corporation  and  many  others,  was  great. 

In  1826,  the  price  of  weavingr  common      )  r,      •,, 

'      ,,         1  iU  J  >     was    9  mills, 

cotton  cloth,  per  yard,  ) 

The  price  of  weaving  fine  cloths  for  calicoes,  was  1  1-4  cts. 

The  price  of  cotton  shirting,  was  16  cents. 

The  price  of  common  cloths  from  10  to  11  cents. 

And  there  was  sufficient  profit  to  the  manufacturer. 

The  Dedham  manufacturing  company  has  machinery  to 
produce  six  thousand  yards  per  week,  and  seventy  persons 
employed. 

Mr.  Taft's  company  produces  four  thousand  yards  of  fine 
cotton  cloths  per  week. 

Benjamin  Bussey,  Esq.  has  recently  erected  woollen  fac- 
tories on  the  two  upper  dams  on  Mother  Brook.  His  two 
brick  factories,  his  two  wooden  factories  on  the  upper  dam, 
with  all  their  appendages  of  machine  shops,  stores,  dye- 
houses,  dwelling  houses,  and  other  buildings  which  will  of 
course  start  up,  will  of  themselves,  constitute  a  little  village. 
The  plan  of  this  entire  establishment,  gives  it  the  capacity 
to  manufacture  two  hundred  and  forty  yards  of  fine.broad- 


132  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  x. 

cloth  every  day.  This  establishment  is  the  pride  of  Dedham, 
and  its  owner  a  great  benefactor  to  those  whom  he  employs, 
and  of  the  town.  It  is  not  so  much  the  extent  of  these 
works,  as  the  skill  displayed  therein,  that  is  to  be  admired, 
which  in  any  event  secures  a  good  profit,  and  thereby 
places  them  on  a  permanent  foundation. 

There  are  five  establishments  in  this  town  for  making 
chaises  and  carriages  of  all  kinds.  Some  of  these  are  ex- 
tensive. 

Jesse  Warren,  having  succeeded  in  constructing  ploughs 
in  a  form  much  approved,  has  for  several  years  past  made  it 
his  whole  business  to  manufacture  them  on  a  pretty  large 
scale. 

The  names  often  persons,  inhabitants  of  this  town,  are 
recollected  who  have  been  recorded  in  the  patent  office  at 
Washington,  as  the  inventors  of  new  and  useful  machines  ; 
among  which  may  be  enumerated,  a  new  model  for  a  loom,for 
a  file  machine,  for  a  dough  kneeder,  a  rock  driller,  a  machine  to 
weave  a  hat  body,  and  one  to  make  paper  in  an  improved  ivay. 
On  the  list  of  inventors,  Mr.  John  Goulding  merits  particu- 
lar notice.  On  the  subject  of  new  improvements,  the  world 
has  grown  sceptical,  and  it  is  unwilling  to  allow  that  any 
suggested  improvement  really  merits  that  character,  until 
it  be  put  in  successful  operation,  for  experience  shows  that 
the  progress  of  real  improvement  is  quite  a  different  thing 
from  the  history  of  patents  and  inventions.  With  this  test 
Mr.  Goulding's  inventions  must  be  judged.  He  gave  evi- 
dence of  his  practical  skill  in  the  first  operations  of  Mr. 
Bussey's  woollen  factories,  enabling  those  works  to  manu- 
facture much  more  cheaply  than  others.  He  has  recently 
examined  such  machines  and  manufacturing  establish- 
ments in  England  and  France,  as  would  most  probably  sug- 
gest to  his  mind  useful  knowledge  in  similar  works  in  this 
country.  Since  his  return  from  Europe,  he  has  succeeded 
in  two  important  inventions.  By  a  new  arrangement  of  the 
pipes  in  the  boihr  of  the  steam  engine,  he  has  made  so  great  a 
savino"  in  fuel,  that  steam  power  produced  by  a  peat  fire  is  cheap- 
er, in  thiH  town  of  rivers  and  streams,  than  tvater  power.  He 
has  erected  an  extensive  machine  shop  on  the  dry  land, 
near  a  peat  meadow,  north  west  of  this  village,  wherein 
machinery  for  other  factories  is  made  by  steam  power. 
This  is  the  test  of  his  invention.  He  has  likewise  invented 
a  loom  to  weave  carpets  by  steam  or  water  power,  a  thing  here- 


CHAP.   X-l 


HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM. 


133 


tofore  unknown,  and  deemed  impossible.  Practical  skill,  ac- 
quired by  much  experience  of  mechanical  operations,  uni- 
ted to  an  inventive  genius  alone,  enable  men  to  do  such 
things. 


THi:  EFFECTS 

Oi"  introducing-  manufactures  and  mechanical  employments  into   the  town,  is  ex- 
hibited in  the  progress  of  society. 


In  the  year  1796,  the  population 
was  nearly  the  same  as  it  had  been 
for  fifty  years  previous. 


In  twenty-five  years  previous  to 
the  year  1826,  it  had  increased 
nearly  one  quarter,  and  was  rapid- 
ly increasing. 


In  1793,  the  sources  of  income 
were  the  products  of  the  land, 
wood,  ship  timber,  vegetables,  but- 
ter, labour  on  the  land,  small  trad- 
ing, a  few  mechanical  employ- 
ments. 


In  1826,  the  sources  of  income 
were  interest  of  money,  of  stocks, 
labour  in  the  woolen  and  cotton 
factories,  carrying  in  stages  and 
baggage  waggons,  many  kinds  of 
mechanical  employments,  several 
additional  articles  in  the  produce 
of  the  land,  labour  on  farms  con- 
siderably increased,  rents  of  hou- 
ses. 


Amount  of  town  and  parish  ex- 
penses one  year,  three  thousand 
nine  Inmdred  and  forty  dollars, 
and  paid  with  diftlcult3^ 


In  1826,  the  amount  of  town  and 
parish  expenses  was  eleven  thous- 
and five  hundred  and  seventy-one 
dollars.  The  burthen  less  than  in 
1796. 


Money  so  scarce  that  ten  years 
before  it  had  been  the  principal 
cause  of  a  rebellion. 


In  1826,  it  was  so  plenty  that 
loans  were  made  at  five  per  cent, 
by  inhabitants  of  this  town. 


The  most  enterprising,  at  this!  In  late  years,  men  of  genius  and 
and  former  periods,  sought  the  capital,  and  the  industrious  poor, 
western  wilderness  for  a  resi- have  sought  this  place,  where  there 
dence.  is  variety  and  abundance  of  em- 

jployment. 

tabEe  '        ■ 

OF  MORTALITY  AND  COMPARATIVE  LONGEVITY. 

In  February,  1796,  the  reverend  Jason  Haven  having 
completed  the  fortieth  year  of  his  ministry,  preached  a  ser- 
mon on  the  occasion,  and  therein  stated,  that  in  the  last 
forty  years,  five  hundred  and  twenty-nine  persons  had  died 
in  his  parish. 

406  of  which  were  under  the  the  age  of  70  years. 
72  between  the  age  of  70  and  80  years. 
94  between  the  age  of  80  and  90  years,  and 

9  over  the  age  of  90  years. 
In  the  first  19  years  of  his  ministry,  1  in  80  died  annually. 
In  the  last  21  years  of  his  ministry,  1  in  53  died  annually. 


1  yeai 
1  and 

r. 
7 

7 

(( 

15 

15 

ii 

25 

25 

a 

50 

50 

a 

70 

134  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  x. 

In  this   last  period,   the  dissentary,  the  small   pox,  and 
other  epidemics,  had  occasioned  unusual  mortality. 

February  20,   1S18.     Dr.  Bates,  on  leaving  his  parish, 

preached  a  sermon  on  the   occasion,  and  stated  therein, 

that  in  the  fifteen  years  of  his  ministry,  there  had  been  two 

hundred  and  seventy-three  deaths  in  the  parish,  of  which 

30  were  under   the  age  of 

23     "    between  "       "      "     1  and    7  years. 

A        u  ((  C(  (( 

35     "  "         "       " 

55     "  "         "       " 

A<2      "  "  <'         " 

82  "  above  "  "  "  70  years. 
Included  in  the  last  class,  were  five  over  ninety  years, 
and  one  ninety-eight  years.  This  statement  is  remarkable 
for  the  small  number  of  deaths  among  children,  and  the 
great  proportion  of  those  whose  ages  exceeded  seventy 
years,  it  appearing  that  one  in  every  three  and  a  half  arriv- 
ed at  the  age  of  seventy.  No  table  which  I  have  seen 
gives  a  result  so  favourable  to  the  chance  of  long  life. 

June,   1816.     The  reverend  William  Cogswell,   of  the 
second  parish,  stated  in  a  sermon,  afterwards  published, 
that  in  the  last  eighty  years,  the  number  of  deaths  in  his 
parish  had  been  five  hundred  and  eighty-eight. 
Of  that  number,  481  died  under  the  age  of  70  years. 

56    "  between  "      "     "  70  and  80  yrs. 
38    "       "  "      "     "  80  and  90  yrs. 

13  whose  ages  exceeded  90  yrs. 

1  in  every  5  1-2  arrived  at  the  age  of  70  years. 
1  in  80  died  annually. 

Reverend  Thomas  Thatcher,  of  the  third  parish,  in  1800, 
made  the  following  statement  in  a  published  sermon. 

In  the  twenty  years  of  his  ministry  in  his  parish,  there 
had  been  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  deaths. 
102  under  the  age  of  70  years. 
9  between  the  ages  of  70  and  80  years. 
15         "         "       "      "  80  and  90  years. 
1         «         "       "      "  90    "   100  years. 
1  supposed  to  exceed  100  years. 
1  in  6  and  a  fraction,  arrived  at  the  age  of  70  years. 

RECAPITULATION. 
In  the   1st  parish,  from  175G  to  1796, 1  in  5  arrived  at  the  age  of  70. 
In  the   1st  parish,  from  1803  to  1818,1  in  3  1-2"      "     "    "      "70. 
In  the  2nd  parish,  from  173C  to  1S16,1  in  5  1-2"      "     «     "     <'  70. 
In  the  ;3rd  parish,  from  1780  to  1800,  line        "      "    «    "     "70. 


CHAP,  x]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM-  135 

'Compare  this  with  the  most  approve«l  tables  of  longevity. 
In  France,  1  in  31  arrive  at  the  age  of  70. 

In  London,  1  in  10      "      "     "      "    "  70. 

In  Philadelphia,      1  in  15      "      "     »      "    "  70. 
In  Connecticut,      1  in    8      "      "     "      "    "  70. 

This  is  considered  the  ratio  for  the  healthy  parts  of  New 
England. 

From  the  data  afforded  by  these  ministers,  and  other 
evidence  of  the  population  in  each  parish  at  the  times  when 
these  records  were  kept,  it  may  be  stated  that  including  all 
the  parishes,  and  all  the  times  above  enumerated,  one  in 
seventy  died  annually.  Compare  this  result  with  other  ta- 
bles. 

In  Portsmouth  it  is  computed  that       1  in  48  to  49  die  annually. 

In  Salem,  1  in  48  to  49  die  annually. 

In  Boston,  1  in  47  to  49  die  annually. 

In  PJiiladelphia,  1  in  44  to  50  die  annually. 

In  the  United  States  generally,  1  in  .39  to  40  die  annually. 

In  the  great  cities  in  Europe,  I  in  22  die  annually. 

In  England,  1  in  49  die  annually. 

The  soil  in  the  first  parish  denoted  to  be  the  most  heal- 
thy by  the  tables,  is  dry.  The  water  is  pure  and  drawn 
from  wells  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  deep,  and  comes  up 
through  sand  or  gravel.  The  harsh  north  east  wind  in 
passing  over  Muddy  Pond  woods  is  somewhat  broken  and 
softened,  after  it  passes  out  of  Boston  harbour.  There  are 
many  little  streams  besides  Charles  river  and  Neponset. 
There  are  a  great  abundance  of  trees  and  evergreens. 
The  time  may  come  when  the  physicians  in  Boston  will 
regard  it  as  a  maxim,  that  they  ought  to  direct  a  cer- 
tain class  of  patients  to  go  out  of  the  grosser  atmosphere 
of  Boston,  and  retire  to  Dedham  village,  where  they  will 
be  defended  by  the  Blue  Hills  and  Muddy  Pond  woods. 

Memoranda/or  natural  history. — On  both  sides  of  Charles 
river,  in  that  section  of  it  which  flows  near  and  north  of 
Dedham  village,  is  a  peat  meadow,  containing  several 
hundred  acres.  The  river  at  this  place,  on  its  surface  de- 
scends six  or  seven  inches  in  a  mile,  has  perpendicular 
sides,  and  a  bottom  of  loose  light  mud,  into  which  the  set- 
ting pole  penetrates  several  feet  without  much  resistance. 
The  surface  of  tliis  meadow  in  all  places,  is  even  with  the 
water  in  the  river,  when  it  begins  to  overflow  its  banks. 
The  meadow  is  of  different  degrees  of  hardness  indifferent 


136  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap,  x 

places,  but  may  be  pierced  with  an  iron  rod  every  where,  by 
the  strength  of  one  man's  hand,  excepting  when  it  strikes 
imbeded  roots  and  trees.  The  meadow  mud  has  various 
depths,  varying  from  one  to  twenty  feet,  and  rests  on  a  gra- 
vel bottom.  In  some  places  the  meadows  are  sufficiently 
hard  to  support  a  road,  provided  care  be  taken  to  spread 
brush  on  the  surface  before  the  gravel  is  carted  on  to  it. 
In  some  places  the  gravel  will  sink,  as  it  did  under  the 
turnpike  near  the  village.  A  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the 
village,  the  river  runs  over  a  hard  bottom,  which  at  some 
former  period,  may  have  been  a  natural  dam,  causing  a 
pond  of  water  to  exist  in  that  precise  place,  now  occupied 
by  the  meadow  mud.  That  such  has  actually  been  the 
fact,  is  probable.  The  whole  mass  of  the  loose  mud  com- 
posing the  meadows,  is  certainly  a  formation  of  roots, 
leaves  and  trees,  with  greater  or  less  quantities  of  earth 
deposited  there  by  the  stream  and  floods.  The  surface  of 
the  meadow  exactly  corresponds  with  the  surface  of  the 
water  at  a  former  time,  and  has  evidently  been  modified 
by  it.  Two  or  three  inches  from  the  surface  of  this  mea- 
dow, commences  a  stratum  of  peat,  from  three  to  four  feet 
in  depth.  Before  peat  is  taken  from  its  bed,  it  is  black 
heavy  mud,  and  its  whole  mass  is  homogeneous.  When  it 
is  prepared  for  fuel,  it  exhibits  numerous  fibres,  resem- 
bling a  flax  thread,  which  hold  the  parts  together  after  the 
peat  is  dried.  In  much  the  greatest  part  of  this  meadow, 
there  is  good  peat  of  the  above  description,  but  in  many 
places  over  several  square  rods  contiguous,  peat  seems  not 
yet  to  have  been  formed,  or  to  have  been  only  partially  or 
imperfectly  formed.  Nothing  on  the  surface  of  the  mea- 
dow, or  in  its  interior  formation  denotes  the  cause  of  this, 
and  we  are  left  to  conjecture  the  cause  ;  which  may  be  the 
existence  there  of  too  great  a  quantity  of  ligneous  sub- 
stances, which  have  not  yet  had  time  to  be  decomposed 
since  the  water  has  been  removed  from  the  meadows.  Or 
it  may  be  that  too  great  a  quantity  of  water  may  have  ex- 
isted there,  which  would  have  prevented  the  decomposi- 
tion of  vegetable  matter,  by  excluding  the  air  therefrom. 
Near  the  upland,  there  is  imperfect  peat,  the  cause  of 
which  is  easily  discovered,  in  there  not  being  a  due 
proportion  of  earth,  wood  and  water.  That  portion  of  the 
meadow  which  lies  between  the  peat  stratum  and  gravel 
bottom,  is  similar  in  its  appearance  and  properties  to  im- 


CHAP,  x]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  137 

perfect  peat ;  it  is  of  a  reddish  colour  when  dried,  is  light 
and  affords  very  little  heat.  It  is  the  material  for  making 
peat,  and  whenever  the  air  shall  have  penetrated  it  for  a 
sufficient  length  of  time,  as  it  may  possibly  do  by  means 
of  the  fibres,  it  will  become  good  peat.  An  inquiry  may 
here  arise,  whether  the  whole  of  this  meadow  is  not  now 
in  a  progress  to  the  more  perfect  formation  of  peat,  both 
in  quantity  and  quality.'*  The  meadows  of  Charles  river, 
we  have  seen,  were  covered  much  of  the  time  with  water, 
before  the  settlement  of  the  town.  This  must  have  pre- 
vented the  formation  of  peat.  The  peat  in  England  and 
Ireland  is  much  deeper,  than  that  on  Charles  river  mea- 
dows. The  peat  in  some  places  on  Neponset  meadows 
is  eight  or  ten  feet  deep.  Those  meadows  are  likewise 
much  drier  than  those  of  Charles  river.  The  fowl  mea- 
dow grass  began  to  grow  in  that  meadow  about  the  year 
1700.  There  are  only  a  few  places  dry  enough  on  the 
meadows  of  Charles  river  to  produce  that  crop,  although 
during  several  of  the  last  dry  summers,  it  has  sprung  up  in 
several  places  where  it  never  was  before  observed. 

Such  is  the  situation  of  the  peat  meadows  at  present.  I 
have  not  observed  any  fact  which  seems  to  support  the 
hypothesis  of  Dr.  Cutler,  who  has  inquired  whether  the 
fibres  observed  in  peat,  are  not  evidence  of  a  vegetable 
organization  of  a  moss  sui  generis'?  The  new  properties 
which  meadow  mud  acquires,  namely,  that  of  being  inflam- 
mable and  fibrous  in  the  process  of  decomposition,  and 
new  combination  differs  not  materially  from  the  changes 
under  the  controul  of  a  chemist,  excepting  in  the  length 
of  time  required  to  produce  them.  About  ten  years  ago  it 
was  first  mentioned  as  a  discovery,  that  near  this  village 
there  was  abundance  of  peat.  Since  that  time  a  small 
quantity  has  been  dug  every  season. 

It  may  be  worthy  of  notice,  that  such  a  variety  of  native 
forest  trees  should  grow  on  a  tract  of  land  so  limited  as 
that  of  Dedham.  Of  the  oak,  are  found  seven  varieties, 
from  the  shrub  oak  to  the  stately  white  oak,  of  the  wal- 
nut, tliree  varieties,  white  and  yellow  pine,  hemlock,  red 
cedar,  and  white  cedar,  white  beech,  white  maple,  white 
and  yellow  birch,  butternut,  wild  cherry,  button  wood, 
hornbeam,  poplar,  ash,  elm,  two  varieties.  The  locust,  the 
lime  tree,  the  balsam  and  the  fir  balsam,  the  mountain  ash, 
18 


loS  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  x. 

flourish  in  our  soil.  The  white  oak  is  the  favourite  of  the 
soil,  that  white  oak  which  yields  such  a  strong  heavy  and 
durable  material  for  the  works  of  the  wheelwright  and  ship- 
builder, and  which  furnishes  such  excellent  fuel.  There 
are  only  a  few  solitary  oaks  which  may  now  claim  to  be 
cotemporaries  with  the  pilgrims,  but  all  our  forest  are  of 
modern  growth.  The  white  oaks,  on  particular  pieces  of 
land,  have  been  all  cut  off  in  several  successive  generations. 
When  one  crop  is  cut  off,  another  immediately  succeeds. 
The  young  trees  start  up  with  a  rapid  growth,  come  to  ma- 
turity in  twenty-five  or  thirty  years,  when  it  is  good  policy 
to  cut  them  all  off  again.  How  many  times,  in  any  given 
spot,  the  trees  may  have  been  thus  cut  in  successive  pe- 
riods, is  not  certainly  known,  probably  five  or  six  times. 
Now  these  last  generation  of  trees  are  inferior  to  the  prim- 
itive stocks,  both  in  size  and  in  usefulness,  although  equally 
good  for  fuel.  The  tree  which  originates  from  a  stump, 
has  necessarily  imperfect  roots.  It  may  have  a  few  young 
and  healthy  roots,  but  these  are  few  in  proportion  to  the 
rapidly  growing  stocks  above  ground,  which  receive  the 
greatest  part  of  their  nourishment  from  the  old  roots.  The 
old  roots  will  decay  from  age,  or  from  the  want  of  a  pro- 
per circulation  of  sap,  caused  by  the  cutting  off  the  trunk. 
We  need  not  assign  a  cause,  since  the  effect  is  well 
known.  The  experience  of  every  farmer  teaches  him  that 
the  forest  trees  which  spriqg  from  stumps  come  to  a  pre- 
mature old  age.  Not  so  with  trees  which  spring  from 
acorns  or  from  a  spontaneous  origin.  Their  roots  are 
young  and  healthy  and  extend  in  every  direction,  when 
the  tree  is  large  its  roots  are  proportionably  so.  Does  not 
this  short  history  of  the  oak,  show  that  an  important  era 
has  arrived  in  regard  to  their  use  and  cultivation  ?  We 
have  no  forest  laws  nor  hereditary  lords  to  protect  our 
most  valuable  oak  forests.  I  see  nothing  but  enlightened 
self  interest,  which  will  protect  them  from  an  indiscrimi- 
nate destruction.  If  this  does  not  influence  the  intelligent 
owner  of  the  soil,  the  voice  of  patriotism,  the  spirit  of 
poetry  will  in  vain  invoke  him  ;  they  will  in  vain  inform 
him  that  he  who  plants  or  nourishes  an  oak  forest  for  the 
future  navy,  rears  a  better  monument  of  his  usefulness 
than  most  of  those  who  write  books,  or  flourish  with  a  lit- 
tle brief  authority  in  public  employments. 
There  are  some  places  where  there  has  been  a  sueces 


CHAP,  x]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  139 

sion  of  difterent  kind  of  trees,  yellow  and  white  pines  have 
succeeded  a  forest  of  oak,  and  oaks  again  have  succeeded 
pine  trees. 

The  soil  of  Dedham,  particularly  that  of  the  village  plain, 
nourishes  almost  every  kind  of  fruit  trees  and  shrubs, 
which  will  grow  in  New  England.  The  pear  trees  of  an  hun- 
dred varieties  transplanted  into  the  gardens  from  the  north 
of  France  and  the  nurseries  of  Long  Island,  thrive  well. 
In  the  garden  of  Mr.  Samuel  Richards,  where  is  the  great- 
est variety  of  fruit  trees,  and  where  too  may  be  learned  the 
greatest  variety  of  experiments  on  transplanting,  no  deci- 
sive evidence  is  yet  afforded  of  the  utility  of  trees  of  foreign 
nurseries,  over  those  in  our  own  immediate  neighbourhood, 
excepting  that  of  their  cost. 

Experiments  in  agriculture  worthy  of  notice  are  few. 
During  the  late  war  attempts  were  made  in  Massachusetts 
to  cultivate  wheat.  It  was  suggested  that  a  new  species 
of  spring  wheat  brought  from  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  would 
succeed  on  the  lands  near  the  sea  board.  It  appears  that 
many  successful  experiments  were  made,  and  were  fully 
reported  and  recorded  in  the  journals  of  the  day.  If 
these  reports  alone  are  consulted,  they  will  lead  to  the 
conclusion,  that  blast  on  wheat  is  to  be  attributed  to  the 
seed,  rather  than  to  the  climate.  But  one  thing  is  certain, 
wheat  crops  are  now  no  where  heard  of  on  the  sea  coast. 
The  unsuccessful  experiments  I  believe  were  not  reported. 
In  1813  and  1814,  experiments  were  made  in  this  town, 
and  both  were  most  decisive.  The  straw  was  sufficiently 
large  to  have  yielded  thirty  bushels  by  the  acre,  yet  it  was 
so  much  blasted  that  it  was  scarcely  worth  reaping. 

In  Dedham  are  some  swamps  and  low  lands,  which 
were  formerly  esteemed  of  little  value,  the  water  being  so 
frequently  on  them,  permitted  nothing  but  a  coarse  mea- 
dow grass  almost  worthless  grow  thereon.  When  several 
patches  of  these  lands  were  broken  up  about  ten  years  ago 
and  planted  with  potatoes,  and  afterwards  laid  down  and 
sowed  with  herds  grass,  I  well  recollect  the  frequent 
remark  I  heard  made  of  them,  that  these  spots  of  land 
would  soon  go  back  again,  and  produce  nothing  but  their 
former  crop  of  coarse  grass.  Ton  years  of  experience  have 
now  shown  that  lands  of  this  kind, when  properly  cultiva- 
ted, are  the  most  valuable  mowing  lands  in  town. 

Gypsum  has  been  used  in  various  ways,  but  I  have  never 
heard  of  a  single  case  where  it  was  done  with  success. 


140  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM-  [chap.  %, 

Suggested  improvements. — The  following  subjects  are  sug- 
gested, not  with  the  intention  of  asserting,  that  all  or  any 
of  them  should  draw  forth  immediate  exertions,  or  that  it  is 
determined  upon  due  deliberation,  that  real  improvements 
can  be  effected  in  the  way  proposed.  They  are  intended  on- 
ly as  proper  subjects  of  inquiry.  The  success  of  those 
splendid  works  in  other  states,  which  facilitate  intercourse, 
has  excited  a  strong  desire,  that  the  people  of  this  com- 
monwealth should  engage  in  similar  and  great  plans.  If 
providence  has  afforded  this  people  any  great  occasion,  or 
opportunity  for  such  great  enterprizes,  as  that  of  making 
rail-ways  or  canals  over  the  western  mountains,  they  will 
be  undertaken  ;  but  in  the  mean  time  the  people  of  this 
town,  and  in  this  part  of  the  State,  should  not  forget,  that 
very  near  to  them,  they  have  a  canal  somewhat  broader 
and  longer  than  that  of  New-York,  to  wit,  the  Atlantic 
ocean  ;  and  that  therefore  the  public  spirit  and  energies 
of  the  community  can  only  be  directed  to  the  more  hum- 
ble, yet  laudable  exertions,  of  rendering  more  perfect  our 
civil  and  literary  institutions  ;  and  particularly  the  roads, 
the  villages  and  the  manufactories.  With  intentions  thus 
explained,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  inquire,  whether  the 
following  objects  should  not  in  due  time  engage  attention. 

A  house  of  correction  for  the  county  of  Norfolk,  com- 
bining all  the  advantages  of  an  institution  of  this  kind. 
The  county  buildings  of  this  kind  at  present,  are  deficient, 
on  which  account  convicts  have  been  sent  to  the  house  of 
correction  in  Worcester. 

A  poor  house,  and  farm  of  suitable  extent  for  the  town 
of  Dedham,  affording  sufficient  room  to  employ,  as  well  as 
support  the  poor.  The  town  have  now  only  a  small  poor 
house,  but  no  land  on  which  the  idle,  the  improvident  and 
vicious  can  be  coerced  to  labour. 

A  town  house  built  with  stones  of  a  different  order  of 
architecture  from  the  Court  House,  to  form  a  contrast 
with  it,  the  lower  story  to  have  fire  proof  offices  for  a  bank, 
for  the  insurance  office,  and  the  town  offices. 

A  new  Episcopal  church. 

A  good  social  library. 

The  introduction  of  some  new  business  suitable  for  fe- 
males whose  health  and  habits  will  not  permit  them  to 
labour  in  the  great  factories,  and  which  may  serve  as  a 
substitute  of  the  now  abandoned  art  of  brading  straw  hats. 


CHAP.  X.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  141 

In  husbandry,  the  following  subjects,  not  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  agricultural  society,  may  be  proposed. 

Bringing  to  a  more  perfect  cultivation  that  portion  of 
meadow  land  near  upland  and  swamps,  which  by  being 
mixed  with  gravel  and  loam  will  produce  great  crops  of 
fowl  meadow  or  herds  grass,  and  bear  drought  better  than 
upland  or  peat  meadow. 

An  experiment  to  be  made  in  burning,  or  torryfying  a 
portion  of  that  clay  bed  between  east  street  and  the  vil- 
lage, for  the  purpose  of  manure.  Which  is  a  mode  of 
enriching  land  in  some  parts  of  England  and  Ireland 
highly  beneficial. 

An  attempt  to  ascertain  with  certainty,  whether  there  is 
not  a  bed  of  Marie  a  little  north  of  Wigwam  Pond,  of 
which  there  are  strong  indications. 

Lining  the  roads  more  frequently  with  trees  of  oak,  elm, 
or  of  any  other  kind  of  tree,  excepting  that  ill  looking, 
short  lived  sappy  exotic,  the  Lombardy  poplar. 

Holding  in  great  esteem  every  thrifty  young  oak  tree 
which  springs  up  under  such  circumstances,  as  shows  it 
may  be  used  in  building  the  future  navy. 

Planting  a  suitable  number  of  trees  around  the  meeting 
house  in  the  third  parish.  That  spot  is  on  the  top  of  a 
hill,  and  the  house  of  public  worship  there,  looks  too  naked, 
especially  as  it  is  high  in  proportion  to  its  dimensions  in 
other  respects. 

A  handsome  open  common  in  the  village  east  of  the 
new  court  house,  ornamented  with  trees,  and  protected 
from  ail  nuisances.  This  will  conduce  to  health  and  to 
ornament,  and  will  afford  the  passing  stranger  a  view  of 
an  elegant  court  house,  the  new  meeting  house,  and  the 
dwelling  house  of  judge  Haven  and  Mrs.  Ames.  But 
above  all,  it  will  prevent  the  reproach  which  a  different 
use  of  that  land  now  unoccupied  would  occasion.  May 
no  buildings  or  shops  be  erected  on  that  ground,  which 
shall  give  just  occasion  to  the  classic  and  travelled  stran- 
ger to  say  ;  behold  here  the  same  profanation  as  at  Rome  ; 
when  the  tents  of  pedlars  and  the  stalls  of  Bufihloes  stood 
within  the  Colliseum. 

Local  Customs. — Among  the  sports  of  Dcdham  is  the  com- 
mon one  of  shooting  at  a  dead  turkey,  or  a  dead  goose. 
This  sport  is  not  inhuman,  and  yet  it  answers  the  object  in- 


142  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  x. 

tended,  amusement  and  skill  in  sharp  shooting.  As  our 
legislature  made  an  unavailing  effort  last  winter  to  pre- 
vent cruelty  in  shooting  at  living  marks,  turkies,  and 
other  fowls,  let  the  Dedham  sportsmen  propose  their  own 
custom  as  the  appropriate  remedy.  This  opportunity  for 
shooting  satisfies  nearly  every  one,  and  we  therefore  sel- 
dom see  a  cruel  boy  creeping  and  crouching  in  our  fields, 
with  his  murderous  gun,  making  war  on  the  birds  which 
cheer  our  fields  with  their  presence  and  music. 

In  the  statute  book  is  found  a  law  creating  the  office 
of  hogreave,  now  unnecessary,  but  formerly  an  important 
and  responsible  office,  imposing  on  the  incumbent  the  ar- 
duous duty  of  causing  all  the  swine  to  weargreat  yokes  on 
their  necks,  and  rings  in  their  snouts.  When  this  office  is 
to  be  filled  at  the  annual  meetings  in  March,  every  year, 
every  person  in  the  town,  who  has  been  married  the  year 
past,  is  sure  to  be  promoted  to  that  office,  whether  he  be 
farmer,  doctor,  lawyer,  or  minister.  In  some  other  towns 
the  custom  prevails.  After  inquiry,  I  have  failed  to  find 
any  antiquary  who  can  state  the  origin  of  the  custom. 

Of  all  the  popular  assemblies  of  the  people,  none  can  be 
more  important  in  a  free  country,  than  town  meetings. 
When  they  are  tumultuous  and  disorderly,  the  government 
is  in  its  most  important  branch,  corrupted.  Of  this  truth, 
the  citizens  of  this  town  seem  to  be  fully  impressed,  and 
their  meetings  are  usually  conducted  with  good  order  and 
decorum.  When  it  is  otherwise,  it  is  owing  to  some  tem- 
porary faction,  who  will  start  in  doing  mischief  and  com- 
mitting disorder,  before  the  sober  men  have  time  to  correct 
the  evil.  I'here  is  one  practice  which  has  been  so  fre- 
quently resorted  to  in  town  meetings,  that  it  may  be  de- 
nominated an  established  custom.  When  a  measure  has 
been  proposed  in  town  meeting,  not  agreeable  to  the  wishes 
of  a  part  of  the  inhabitants,  and  it  is  necessary  that  a  com- 
mittee should  be  appointed  to  prepare  it  for  the  decision 
of  the  whole  town,  the  opposing  party  have  not  unfrequent- 
ly  attempted  to  defeat  it,  after  the  town  has  decided  in 
favour  of  a  committee,  by  nominating  either  incompetent 
men,  or  those  who  will  entirely  disregard  the  duty.  As  the 
moderator  calls  for  a  nomination,  the  opposers  immediate- 
ly shout  the  names  of  their  candidates.  The  supporters 
of  the  measure  likewise,  knowing  that  they  must  be  equal- 
ly quick,  make  numerous  nominations.     In  this  confusion 


CHAP.  X.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHA3I.  143 

of  voices,  and  of  the  multitude  of  nominations,  the  moder- 
ator is  usually  under  the  necessity  of  calling  for  a  new 
nomination,  and  then  again  with  increased  zeal  do  many 
persons  instantly  shout  the  names  of  their  respective  can- 
didates. 

» 

At  once  a  universal  hubbub  wild, 
O/'sluning'  sounds,  and  voices  all  confused 
With  loudest  vehemence  assault  the  ear. 

If  in  this  dilemma,  the  majority  can  succeed  in  voting 
tbft  right  of  nomination  to  the  moderator,  and  he  have  suf- 
ficient independence  to  do  his  duty,  the  committee  of  suit- 
able men  maybe  elected,  otherwise  the  will  of  the  town  is 
defeated  by  the  artifice.  Did  it  ever  occur  to  those  per- 
sons who  believe  that  such  a  practice  is  justifiable,  that  an 
artifice  of  this  kind  is  in  effect,  as  bad  as  riot  or  open  force, 
since  the  tendency  of  both  is  to  defeat  the  will  of  the  town, 
a  thing  that  should  not  be  attempted,  except  by  free  de- 
bate and  peaceable  voting. 

Rural  scenes. — In  the  year  1826,  this  village  was  in  a  small 
compass ;  the  inhabitants  have  had  so  strong  an  inclination 
to  be  near  certain  points,  that  the  price  of  land  was  a  thous- 
and dollars  per  acre,  at  one  place,-  and  when  other  lands, 
equally  eligible  for  building  lots,  not  forty  rods  distant, 
might  be  purchased  for  half  that  sum.  This  whole  plain,  ex- 
cepting about  one  hundred  acres  occupiedby  buildings,  was 
well  cultivated,  having  fruit  trees  and  shades  growing  there- 
on. The  old  streets  ornamented  with  elms,  button-woods, 
and  shrubbery.  On  High  street  stood  the  two  congrega- 
tional meeting  houses,  and  the  new  court  house.  The  new 
court  house  at  present  stands  in  an  open  field,  containing 
more  than  two  acres,  and  is  equally  well  seen  by  the  passen- 
ger on  the  road  to  Providence  and  Hartford.  This  edifice 
covers  an  area  of  ninety-eight  feet  by  forty-eight,  and  has 
at  each  end  a  projection  of  ten  feet  from  the  main  body  of 
the  building,  with  a  pediment  resting  on  four  doric  pillars 
which  are  nearly  twenty-one  feet  high,  and  three  feet  ten 
inches  in  diameter  at  their  base.  The  principal  material 
of  this  building  is  a  hewn  white  granite  fiom  a  (juarry 
eight  miles  west  of  it.  Mr.  Solomon  Willard,  of  Boston, 
the  architect,  by  conforming  his  plan  of  it  so  fur  as  the  use 
of  the  building  and  his  means  would  permit,  to  the  best 
models  of  antiquity,  has  perpetuated  the  evidence  of  his 


J  44  HISTORY  OF  DEDHA3I.  [chap.  t. 

skill  and  good  taste,*  and  conferred  a  lasting  obligation  on 
the  county. 

The  Norfolk  and  Bristol  turnpike  goes  through  the  vil- 
lage, and  is  a  great  thoroughfare  between  the  north  and 
the  south.  The  steam  boats  from  New  York  land  their  pas- 
sengers at  Providence,  and  in  a  iew  hours  afterwa'rds,  six  or 
seven  stages  full  may  be  frequently  seen  a  mile  south  of 
the  village  descending  into  it,  bringing  sometimes  the  dust 
with  them  which  they  raise.  Every  other  day  the  naail 
arrives  on  its  way  to  Washington  city.  The  number^f 
those  who  assemble  at  the  post  office  at  the  hour  of  ar- 
rival is  not  so  great  that  each  one  must  ask  a  question  and 
be  off,  but  custom  allows  the  talkers  and  the  quid  nuncs 
to  remain  and  amuse  or  oppress  their  temporary  audience 
with  their  remarks  on  all  subjects. 

Four  or  five  concerts  of  music  in  a  year,  the  performers 
at  which  come  from  Boston,  and  the  neighbouring  towns, 
attest  an  increasing  attention  to  that  art.  Every  Sunday 
morning,  when  the  hour  of  worship  has  come,  people  in 
chaises  and  on  feet  are  seen  coming  into  the  village,  but 
none  in  waggons.  Some  go  to  the  first  parish  meeting 
house.  On  the  spot  where  that  house  now  stands,  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  years  ago  there  stood  a  low  building  with  a 
thatched  roof,  having  no  accommodation  for  a  worshipping 
assembly,  not  even  a  plastered  wall.  Now  you  may  see 
in  the  newly  repaired  meeting  house,  the  stucco  over  the 
head,  the  inside  clock,  the  outside  clock,  the  handsomely 
decorated  organ,  the  cushioned  and  carpeted  pews. 
Across  the  road  you  will  likewise  see  another  new  meet- 
ing house,  in  its  exterior  appearance,  its  size  and  beautiful 
proportions,  greatly  excelling  most  other  country  meeting 
houses.  Its  steeple  is  not  so  ambitious  as  the  common 
New  England  steeple,  to  reach  up  high  with  a  slim  trunk, 
but  is  flatted  down  so  that  its  base  bears  a  more  agreeable 

*  February  term  of  the  supreme  court,  1827.  The  first  session  was  held  in  this 
edifice.  On  that  occasion,  the  governor,  the  judges,  and  all  the  members  of  the 
bar,  and  many  spectators  attended.  Chief  justice  Parker  delivered  a  dedicatory 
address.  In  this  address,  after  attributing  just  praise  to  the  architect,  Mr.  Willard, 
and  to  the  master  builders,  Messrs.  Bates  and  Damon,  he  made  a  comparison  of 
this  building  with  others  most  distinguished  in  the  state.  To  this  he  gave  the 
preference  over  the  state  house  and  the  Worcester  court  house,  because  the  mate- 
rials are  brick.  In  one  respect,  this  excelled  Suflbik  court  house,  because  in  this 
last  building,  architectural  beauty  was  not  regarded.  It  excelled  St.  Paul's  church 
and  the  new  branch  hank  of  the  IJnited  States,  in  Boston,  because  they  have  other 
buildings  so  near  them  that  exterior  beauty  is  taken   from  them. 


CHAP.  X.]  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  145 

proportion  to  its  height.  It  is  inclosed  with  a  s'uitable 
fence.  It  has  a  spacious  cellar  underneath  iis  whole  area, 
which  serves  as  a  substitute  for  the  horse  sheds,  and  last  of 
all,  it  has  a  spacious  vestry  built  at  the  expense  of  the  min- 
ister. This  meeting  house  was  built  chiefly  at  the  expense 
of  a  few  farmers,  and  attests  how  much  may  be  effected  by 
the  voluntary  efforts  of  religious  men.  A  few  years  ago,  the 
first  parish  voted  in  the  great  bass  viol,  to  help  the  singing. 
That  innovation  grieved  several  old  men  who  opposed  it, 
one  of  whom  determined  once  more  in  his  life  time  to  hear 
his  Maker  praised  without  such  a  profane  accompaniment, 
and  to  accomplish  that  purpose  he  secretly  rubbed  tallow 
on  the  strings  of  the  instrument.  This  was  the  first  and  pro- 
bably the  last  effort  that  will  be  made  to  resist  innovation, 
for  very  soon  was  added  the  flute  and  the  fiddle,  and  then 
came  a  fine  toned  organ.  Since  it  has  ceased  to  be  a 
custom  to  pray  against  the  pope  as  anti-christ,  what  as- 
surance have  we  that  a  love  of  change,  or  a  desire  of  im- 
provement in  ornamenting  houses  of  public  worsliip,  will 
stop  at  any  given  point  ?  Will  not  superfluous  wealth  em- 
ploy our  native  artists  in  ornamenting  our  churches  ? 
The  christian  community  seems  quite  unconscious  of  the 
career  that  is  commenced  in  the  new  taste  and  style  of 
architectural  ornament.  Some  imagine  that  the  stubborn 
New  England  character  will  resist  the  influence  of  wealth, 
of  the  arts,  of  accidents,  and  of  time.  Let  them  reflect 
that  the  first  christians,  like  the  first  settlers  of  New  Eng- 
land, were  obliged  to  retire  from  the  presence  of  kings,  of 
courts,  and  cultivated  society.  But  when  wealth  and  power 
came  into  their  hands,  the  taste  of  the  christian  world  was 
soon  changed,  and  gorgeous  palaces  were  deemed  suitable 
places  for  the  devotion  of  the  people.  Since  the  puritan- 
ical aversion  to  organs  has  so  far  given  way,  as  even  to 
admit  flutes  and  fiddles  into  church  music,  we  may  well 
anticipate  that  before  the  expiration  of  two  hundred 
years  more,  the  finest  portraits  of  tlie  apostles  and  saints 
will  appear  on  the  walls  of  some  congregational  meeting 
houses. 

19 


]4G  HISTORY  OF  DEDHAM.  [chap.  xV 


CONCLUSION. 

The  comparative  merit  of  every  place,  as  one  which 
should  be  sought  or  abandoned,  depends  on  the  views  and 
taste  of  him  who  makes  the  inquiry.  On  this  point  it  is 
not  worth  wjiile  for  an  inhabitant  to  say  any  thing,  least 
his  advertisement  be  imputed  to  vanity  or  ill  will,  but  may 
he  not  suggest,  after  u  pretty  full  history  and  description 
of  the  town  has  been  given,  that  if  any  man  be  influenced 
by  the  suggestions  of  philosophy,  or  religion,  or  love  of 
literary  leisure,  to  retire  to  a  healthy  residence  near  the 
city,  combining  home  of  the  principal  advantages,  both  of 
a  large  town  and  the  country,  where  he  may  be  a  calm 
spectator  of  the  little  strifes  and  follies  and  revolutions  in 
the  world,  he  may  possibly  find  that  Dedham  has  some 
positive  recommendations  to  him. 

That  employment  and  situation  in  life,  which  the  poets 
and  philosophers  of  every  age  have  represented  as  the  most 
agreeable  to  the  nature  of  man,  is  that  of  a  husbandman, 
the  cultivator  of  his  own  land,  free  from  ambition,  free 
from  the  dangers  and  temptations  of  more  lucrative  em- 
ployments, and  free  from  debt.  The  epithet, yreemon,  may 
with  propriety  be  applied  to  him,  since  he  is  not  a  slave 
to  ambition  ot  to  great  men.  This  sentiment  seems  to 
have  been  a  leading  motive  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  town, 
and  every  successive  generation  must  have  had  increasing 
evidence,  that  the  way  and  the  taste  of  their  fathers  was 
good.  And  we  too,  iiaving  reviewed  their  doings  and  their 
characters,  in  a  period  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  years, 
must  yield  our  entire  assent  to  the  same  opinion.  This 
sentiment  is  asserted  in  the  title  page,  in  the  language  of 
a  poet  in  the  Roman  court,  and  it  may  in  conclusion,  be 
reiterated  in  tlie  words  of  his  translator. 

Like  the  first  race  of  mortals  blest  is  be, 
From  debts  and  usury  and  business  free  ; 
With  liis  own  team,  who  ploughs  the  soil, 
Which  gi-ateful  once,  confessed  his  fatliers'  toil. 


THE    END. 


tj'i 


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